Voters across Osceola County, Kissimmee and St. Cloud have chosen their representatives, setting the stage for important decisions on affordable housing, infrastructure, public safety, taxation and the region’s continued growth.
THE SUN POST DECIDES 2026 | GENERAL ELECTIONS
By Marcos A. Tejeda
Publisher & Editor-in-Chief
The Sun Post News
KISSIMMEE, Fla., November 4, 2026. — Voters across Osceola County delivered their decisions in Tuesday’s general election, returning two incumbents to office and electing two new local government representatives in races that will help shape the future of one of Central Florida’s growing communities.
According to unofficial election results reported following the November 3 vote, Democratic Commissioner Viviana Janer secured another term representing Osceola County Commission District 2, while Democrat Mary Downey won the District 4 seat.
In municipal elections, Kissimmee City Commissioner Janette Martinez won reelection to Seat 4, and Alex Rodriguez defeated Kirk Zilke in the race for St. Cloud City Council Seat 5.
The outcomes come at a significant time for Osceola County, where rapid residential and commercial development continues to raise questions about affordability, transportation, infrastructure, public services and responsible growth.
Viviana Janer Wins Fourth Term in District 2
Democratic incumbent Viviana Janer secured a decisive victory over Republican challenger Olga Gonzalez, a former mayor of Kissimmee, in the race for Osceola County Commission District 2.
With all precincts reported, the unofficial results were:
| Candidate | Votes | Percentage |
|---|---|---|
| Viviana Janer (D) | 14,149 | 69% |
| Olga Gonzalez (R) | 6,444 | 31% |
Margin of victory: 7,705 votes.
First elected in 2014, Janer will begin her fourth consecutive term on the County Commission, extending a political career that has included twelve years of service to Osceola County residents.
Throughout her reelection campaign, Janer emphasized affordable housing initiatives, economic development, transportation improvements, infrastructure investment, educational opportunities and programs benefiting senior citizens.
Gonzalez, who served as Kissimmee mayor from 2020 to 2024, campaigned on property tax relief, government accountability, improved public services and policies aimed at supporting working families.
The election presented voters with two candidates who brought substantial local government experience but different approaches to taxation, development and county spending.
Janer’s reelection provides continuity for ongoing county initiatives, particularly those addressing housing affordability, transportation and the demands associated with population growth.
However, the commissioner will also face continued scrutiny over how effectively county policies respond to rising living costs, traffic congestion and infrastructure needs.
Mary Downey Wins District 4, Succeeding Cheryl Grieb
Democrat Mary Downey defeated Republican Donald Shroyer in the race for Osceola County Commission District 4, securing the seat being vacated by longtime Commissioner Cheryl Grieb, who did not seek another term.
The unofficial results were:
| Candidate | Votes | Percentage |
|---|---|---|
| Mary Downey (D) | 12,984 | 59% |
| Donald Shroyer (R) | 9,070 | 41% |
Margin of victory: 3,914 votes.
Downey, founder of Hope Partnership, an organization dedicated to assisting vulnerable individuals and families, built her campaign around affordable housing, responsible development, transportation and community services.
Her background in nonprofit leadership and housing advocacy will bring a different professional perspective to the County Commission.
Downey will take office as Osceola County faces increasingly complex decisions involving residential construction, land use, transportation planning, environmental protection and the financing of public infrastructure.
The District 4 election also represents a transition in county leadership following Grieb’s departure.
For Downey, the immediate challenge will be translating campaign priorities into public policy while balancing residents’ expectations with county budget limitations and the competing demands of continued development.
Janette Martinez Reelected to Kissimmee City Commission
In Kissimmee, incumbent City Commissioner Janette Martinez secured another term after defeating challenger Tiffany Jeffers in the race for City Commission Seat 4.
The unofficial results showed:
| Candidate | Votes | Percentage |
|---|---|---|
| Janette Martinez | 8,758 | 55% |
| Tiffany Jeffers | 7,310 | 45% |
Margin of victory: 1,448 votes.
Martinez, initially elected in 2022, campaigned on public safety, responsible development, neighborhood improvements and affordable housing.
Jeffers presented an alternative vision centered on community engagement, stronger representation of residents and greater attention to the needs of working families.
The race drew particular attention because of the challenges facing Kissimmee’s municipal government.
The city continues to address development pressures, transportation concerns, housing costs and questions surrounding government accountability.
Martinez’s reelection also comes during a period of political transition following Florida Governor Ron DeSantis’ suspension of Kissimmee Mayor Jackie Espinosa.
The circumstances have placed additional attention on the functioning of city government and the responsibilities of elected officials.
With another term secured, Martinez will have an opportunity to continue her policy priorities while working with fellow commissioners on decisions that directly affect residents and businesses.
The relatively competitive margin also underscores the importance of maintaining communication with constituents holding different views about the city’s future.
Alex Rodriguez Wins St. Cloud City Council Seat 5
In St. Cloud, Alex Rodriguez defeated Kirk Zilke, a former deputy police chief, to win City Council Seat 5.
The unofficial election results were:
| Candidate | Votes | Percentage |
|---|---|---|
| Alex Rodriguez | 13,666 | 57% |
| Kirk Zilke | 10,146 | 43% |
Margin of victory: 3,520 votes.
The contest attracted attention following an extraordinarily close August primary in which Rodriguez advanced to the general election by a single vote after a recount.
November’s outcome produced a considerably wider margin.
Rodriguez will succeed Council Member Shawn Fletcher, who did not seek reelection.
His arrival on the City Council comes as St. Cloud continues experiencing significant residential and commercial expansion.
The city’s growth has generated opportunities for investment and economic development, while also creating challenges involving roads, drainage systems, public safety, utilities and the capacity of existing infrastructure.
Rodriguez will join a council responsible for determining how the city manages future development and finances improvements needed to accommodate its expanding population.
Osceola County Sees Higher Voter Participation
One of the noteworthy developments of the 2026 election was an increase in voter participation across Osceola County.
According to preliminary figures reported following Election Day, approximately 56% of registered voters participated, compared with roughly 40% during the 2022 midterm elections.
That represents an increase of approximately 16 percentage points.
The election included federal, statewide, county and municipal contests, along with ballot measures addressing taxation and public funding.
While participation figures do not explain the motivations of individual voters, the increase demonstrates that a larger share of the county’s registered electorate took part in this election than in the previous midterm cycle.
What the Election Means for Osceola’s Future
The results establish both continuity and change in local government.
Janer and Martinez return to office with renewed mandates from voters, while Downey and Rodriguez prepare to assume new responsibilities.
Despite their different political backgrounds and campaign platforms, all four elected officials will confront many of the same challenges.
Affordable housing remains a major concern for residents facing high rents, rising property values and the difficulty of purchasing a first home.
Transportation is another pressing issue, particularly in communities where residential development has expanded faster than road capacity.
Flood prevention, drainage improvements, public safety, government spending and the availability of essential services will also require sustained attention.
For county commissioners, these challenges involve balancing development, infrastructure investments, environmental considerations and fiscal responsibility.
For municipal officials in Kissimmee and St. Cloud, the focus will include neighborhood services, local economic development, zoning decisions and the long-term consequences of population growth.
The election results will determine who participates in those decisions, but the effectiveness of their policies will become clearer over the coming years.
From Campaign Promises to Government Responsibility
The conclusion of the November 3 election marks the beginning of another phase in Osceola County’s political and civic life.
For returning officials, the new terms provide an opportunity to advance existing initiatives while addressing concerns raised during the campaign.
For newly elected representatives, the transition from campaigning to governing will require cooperation, financial oversight and decisions that may involve competing community priorities.
Residents, meanwhile, will have opportunities to evaluate their representatives through public meetings, budget discussions, development decisions and the delivery of government services.
Elections determine who holds public office. The decisions made afterward determine how those officials affect the communities they represent.
As Osceola County, Kissimmee and St. Cloud move beyond Election Day, attention now turns to how the incoming and returning officials will respond to the region’s most pressing challenges.
THE SUN POST DECIDES 2026
Independent journalism. Informed communities. Stronger civic participation.
Editor’s Note: Vote totals and percentages reflect unofficial results from the November 3, 2026, general election and remain subject to certification by the appropriate election authorities.
