Incumbent commissioner secures second term with 55% of the vote, emphasizing public safety, responsible growth, affordable housing, and continued investment in Kissimmee neighborhoods.
KISSIMMEE, Fla. — Kissimmee City Commissioner Janette Martinez secured a second term in office Tuesday, November 3, defeating challenger Tiffany Jeffers in the runoff election for City Commission Seat 4, as voters chose to continue Martinez’s leadership during a period of significant growth and transition in city government.
Martinez received 8,758 votes, or approximately 55%, compared with Jeffers’ 7,310 votes, or 45%, according to unofficial election results. With all 22 precincts reporting, Martinez won by 1,448 votes.
First elected in November 2022, Martinez campaigned on her experience in municipal government, commitment to public safety, responsible development, economic opportunity, and improving the quality of life for Kissimmee residents.
Her victory follows a competitive election season that began with a four-candidate contest in August. Martinez led the primary with approximately 37.6% of the vote, while Jeffers finished second with 28.6%, advancing both candidates to Tuesday’s runoff.
Four years of service and a commitment to Kissimmee
A longtime Kissimmee resident, businesswoman, wife, mother of four, and grandmother of four, Martinez has emphasized her personal connection to the community and the importance of keeping residents at the center of city government decisions.
Throughout her first term, Martinez has advocated for strengthening public safety, supporting small businesses, expanding housing opportunities, and ensuring that Kissimmee’s continued development benefits existing neighborhoods.
Her campaign message, “I Put Constituents First,” reflected her stated commitment to listening to residents, addressing community concerns, and making decisions that support families and businesses throughout the city.
Martinez has also highlighted affordable housing initiatives, including the Haven on Vine development, as examples of efforts to expand housing options in a city where rising costs continue to challenge working families and seniors.
Public safety, responsible growth, and infrastructure remain priorities
As Kissimmee continues to experience population growth and new development, Martinez has emphasized the importance of ensuring that roads, public safety resources, transportation systems, and other essential services keep pace.
Her priorities for a second term include maintaining strong police and fire services, improving transportation and infrastructure, encouraging responsible development, and supporting economic opportunities for residents and local businesses.
Martinez has also stressed the importance of protecting established neighborhoods while planning for future growth.
During the campaign, she identified public safety, infrastructure improvements, and housing affordability as key areas requiring continued attention from city leaders.
Her approach emphasizes balancing new development with the resources necessary to maintain the quality of life residents expect.
Jeffers brought community-focused campaign to runoff
Martinez faced a competitive challenge from Tiffany Jeffers, a pastor, nonprofit leader, and community advocate who campaigned on affordable housing, economic opportunity, neighborhood investment, and greater community involvement in local government.
Jeffers emphasized the financial challenges facing working families, including rising housing costs, transportation expenses, and the need for better-paying jobs.
Her campaign also focused on supporting small businesses, creating opportunities for young people, and increasing transparency and public participation in city decisions.
Although Jeffers fell short in Tuesday’s runoff, her campaign brought additional attention to many of the issues facing Kissimmee residents as the city continues to grow.
Reelection comes during leadership transition at City Hall
Martinez’s victory comes at a particularly important time for Kissimmee’s municipal government.
Following the October 21 arrest of Mayor Jackie Espinosa and her subsequent suspension by Gov. Ron DeSantis on October 30, Vice Mayor Angela Eady assumed mayoral responsibilities under the city’s charter.
Eady, who won reelection to City Commission Seat 2 during the August primary, has emphasized public safety, economic development, neighborhood improvements, infrastructure, and transparency as priorities for city government.
With Martinez returning for another term, the City Commission will continue addressing the challenges of growth while navigating the recent changes in municipal leadership.
The commission faces important decisions involving development, housing affordability, transportation improvements, public safety funding, and economic investment throughout Kissimmee.
Martinez’s reelection provides some continuity on the City Commission as Kissimmee prepares for another four years of growth, development, and community investment.
As she prepares to begin her second term, Martinez will have an opportunity to continue advancing initiatives focused on public safety, affordable housing, responsible development, and strengthening the neighborhoods that make up Kissimmee.
Editor’s note: Election results are unofficial and remain subject to certification by the Osceola County Supervisor of Elections.
