ORLANDO, Fla. – Two of the seven people running in the Orlando City Council special election will advance to a runoff election in June, according to unofficial results posted by the Orange County Supervisor of Elections office after polls closed Tuesday.
Shaniqua Rose got 24.8% of the vote, coming in first place in the election to fill the District 5 seat while suspended commissioner Regina Hill faces charges.
Travaris McCurdy got 23.29% of the vote, coming in second place.
But since none of the seven candidates got more than 50% of the vote in Tuesday’s election, Rose and McCurdy will now move to a runoff election on Tuesday, June 18.
“I am that person. We saw it with the numbers, and so that is what the people want to see. So I can come in and say all these lavish things about what I want to do, but it’s about the people. We have pressing issues of affordable housing, housing affordability, homelessness.” Rose said.
“Let’s get the job done, we still have work to do, June 18. We need as many people to participate in this process,” McCurdy said. “It’s been a great feeling of accomplishment for my supporters, my volunteers, for my team and I. But it’s also a realization that it’s just step one for our overall goal we look to achieve on June 18.”
The runoff will also have an early voting period, from Monday, June 10 to Sunday, June 16.
The winner will serve on the city council through 2025, or until Hill’s case is resolved and she is allowed to return to her seat.
According to the Orange County Supervisor of Elections Office, only a little over 2,100 of 21,274 eligible voters turned out to the polls Tuesday, with a voter turnout at 10%.
What does Orlando City Council District 5 represent?
District 5 represents voters in Parramore, Rock Lake, Clear Lake, the Mercy Drive area, the Ivey Lane area, Lake Mann Estates, Malibu Groves, Timberleaf, Kirkman North and Metrowest, as well as much of downtown Orlando. You can see a map of the district on the city of Orlando website.
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Political consultant David Washington says leadership in this historically African American district is critical.
“These neighborhoods are an opportunity for economic growth for developers to come in and do what they need to do and to help Parramore and Callahan prosper, this is why new leadership, really good leadership is important for District 5,” Washington said.
Carla Scott, a District 5 voter, said all she wants to see is change.
“The person I voted for, I believe she’ll make a big difference. I really do. I believe she’ll make a big difference. Her heart is good and she’s out for the community,” Scott said. “... The kids are an important issue for me this election. We’ve got to focus on our kids and that’s a top priority with me.”
Brenda Collins also voted and said she hopes to see more things done for the community.
“It’s important because it’s for the community. Get things better. Get things done.”
Who ran in the special election?
Shaniqua “Shan” Rose, executive director of the community redevelopment association in Eatonville, came in first with 24.8% of the vote.
Travaris McCurdy, a former Florida representative, and currently small business programs manager for the Greater Orlando Aviation Authority, came in second place with 23.29%.
Former Miss America and consulting firm CEO Ericka Dunlap came in third place with 21.6% of the vote. Community activist and consultant Lawanna Gelzer came in fourth place with 18.96% of the vote.
Miles Mulrain Jr., a community activist garnered 5.69% of the vote, while businessman Cameron Hope got 4.09% of the vote and business coach TiaKeysha Ellison Ellison got 1.55% of the vote.
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What happened to Commissioner Regina Hill?
Regina Hill was arrested on March 28, after an FDLE investigation into whether she exploited an elderly constituent. The FDLE investigators also accused her of using the power of attorney she obtained for the victim to secure a mortgage for a home, without the victim’s knowledge, and using more than $100,000 of the victim’s cash and credit cards for a number of things.
Hill denies the charges.
Because of the arrest, Gov. Ron DeSantis suspended Hill from her seat on April 1.
The city announced a special election for District 5 on April 8.
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