Both Kissimmee and St. Cloud selected new mayors on Tuesday due to term limits on incumbents Olga Gonzalez and Nathan Blackwell. Kissimmee businesswoman Jackie Espinosa will take over as Mayor of Kissimmee, while Chris Robertson, Executive Director of the Museum of Military History, will be St. Cloud’s new Mayor.
“Tonight was a big win for our citizens and for our community. I look forward to working alongside my fellow council members and on behalf of the residents of St. Cloud to rebuild the trust in our local government and love for our great city. Tackling the issues of our community will be an uphill battle but I am confident that we can once again make St. Cloud a place citizens are proud to call home,” Chris Robertson said after defeating opponent Tony Busby for the St. Cloud Mayor seat.
Osceola County Sheriff Marcos Lopez secured re-election with nearly 60% of the vote, making him the first sheriff to serve a consecutive term since Sheriff Bob Hansell. Jennifer Paul won St. Cloud’s Council Seat 2, defeating Mandy Shafer, and Noel Ortiz claimed Kissimmee’s Council Seat 1 after Olga Castano vacated it to run for mayor.
In other races, former teacher Erika Booth reclaimed Florida House District 35, defeating incumbent Democrat Tom Keen. On the Osceola County Commission, Brandon Arrington (District 3) and Peggy Choudhry (District 1) both retained their seats, each winning with a comfortable majority.
“I am so excited to once again receiuve the support of the community. I look forward to continue working with my fellow commissioners to make Osceola first to what’s next,” Commissioner Brandon Arrington shared after being re-elected.
Other re-elected Osceola officials include Clerk & Comptroller Kelvin Soto, Property Appraiser Katrina Scarborough, Tax Collector Bruce Vickers, and Supervisor of Elections Mary Jane Arrington. Kristen Arrington won a seat in the Florida Senate, representing District 25, while Paula Stark will return as District 47’s representative. Former Kissimmee Mayor Jose Alvarez won House District 46.
Monique Worrell reclaimed her role as State Attorney for Orange and Osceola counties, with 57% of the vote against independe pront Andrew Bain. Voters also upheld Osceola’s special property tax and passed Amendments 2 and 5 but rejected the Amendment 4’s abortion rights proposal, and Amendment 3, which would have made marijuana legal recreationally.
Scott Ramsey, appointed by Governor Ron DeSantis to the Osceola County School Board District 5, was defeated by Paula Bronson. In District 45, incumbent Carolina Amesty lost to Democrat Leonard Spencer. Julie Nichols Williams won the Harmony Community Development District 5 seat.
District 9 Congressman Darren Soto was re-elected after defeating Republican challenger Tom Chaifoux, and Non-party affiliated Marcus Carter.
