Cortes finishes 2nd after Kissimmee mayoral race recount, will face Espinosa in runoff

Former state Rep. John Cortes will face entrepreneur Jackie Espinosa in a November runoff for Kissimmee mayor after a Friday recount confirmed he defeated businesswoman Olga Cariño in Tuesday’s election.

The recount brought to an end a contentious race between Espinosa and Cariño filled with accusations of harassment and fraud.

“I’ve been in a lot of elections,” Cortes said after the recount. “This one just really disappointed me this year. Hardly anybody voted.”

Espinosa won on Election Day with just under 30% of the vote. Since none of the four candidates got above 50%, the race goes to a November runoff between her and the second-place finisher. Cortes narrowly came in second Tuesday night — four votes ahead of Cariño — a margin triggering a machine recount under state law.





https://www.orlandosentinel.com/2024/08/23/cortes-finishes-2nd-after-kissimmee-mayoral-race-recount-will-face-espinosa-in-runoff/