The Seat 2 candidate answers The Sun Post’s five election questions, outlining a platform centered on affordability, small businesses, responsible growth and greater public participation in city government.
By Marcos A. Tejeda Publisher & Editor-in-Chief The Sun Post
The race for Seat 2 on the Kissimmee City Commission is entering a more substantive stage.
Candidate Wanda Román has submitted her responses to the five questions presented as part of The Sun Post Decides 2026, giving voters a more detailed look at what she considers Kissimmee’s most pressing challenges and what she would prioritize if elected on August 18.
Her answers go beyond the general themes of her campaign and address several issues directly affecting residents: the cost of living, taxes and utility expenses, affordable housing, urban growth, traffic congestion, small businesses, government transparency and citizen participation.
A consistent theme runs throughout her responses: Kissimmee can continue growing, Román argues, but that growth should not come at the expense of families who already call the city home.
1. What is the biggest challenge currently facing Kissimmee, and why?
Román identifies the challenge as managing the city’s continued growth without leaving existing residents behind.
“For me, Kissimmee’s greatest challenge is making sure our city continues to grow without leaving our families behind. When I speak with residents, seniors and small-business owners, I hear a common concern: every day it is becoming more expensive to live here. Housing, taxes and basic services are placing an increasing burden on many households.
Kissimmee needs to grow, but we must do it responsibly and put our people first. I want a city where our seniors can remain in their homes, where families can get ahead and where our small businesses have real opportunities to prosper.
Progress should be felt in the quality of life of every resident, not simply seen in new construction. For me, governing begins with listening and always remembering whom we are called to serve.”
Her response puts affordability and quality of life near the center of her campaign.
It also raises a broader issue confronting Kissimmee: how to accommodate continued development while ensuring that infrastructure, public services and household affordability keep pace with that growth.
2. What would be your three priorities during your first 100 days?
Román identifies three initial priorities: examining ways to reduce financial pressure on families, strengthening small businesses and improving communication between residents and City Hall.
“My first 100 days will begin with listening. I want to sit down with residents, small-business owners, seniors and community leaders to hear their concerns directly and turn them into action.
My first priority will be reviewing where we can ease the financial burden on our families, particularly with taxes and utility costs. The second will be strengthening our small businesses by facilitating opportunities and promoting an environment where they can grow and create jobs.
The third will be bringing city government closer to the community through greater communication, transparency and citizen participation.
I do not want to be a commissioner who only listens to the community from an office. I want to be present in our neighborhoods and maintain constant communication with the people. My commitment is simple: listen, work and be accountable.”
That answer also creates an important policy question.
If elected, Román would need to identify which taxes or municipal costs she believes could realistically be reduced and how any resulting loss of revenue would be balanced against the cost of maintaining city services.
That distinction matters because promises of affordability ultimately have to intersect with the municipal budget.
3. Housing, urban growth and traffic: What would she do?
On three of Kissimmee’s most visible challenges, Román argues that development decisions should be more closely connected to infrastructure capacity.
“Growth is positive when it is planned with people in mind. That is why I will support initiatives that expand affordable housing opportunities and promote responsible development that takes into consideration the infrastructure and services each new project will require.
We cannot continue growing without evaluating how that growth affects our streets, public services, safety and quality of life. We must also work in coordination with the appropriate agencies to improve mobility and find solutions to congestion.
But for me, there is another fundamental part: listening to residents before making important decisions about the development of their communities. Those who live with the consequences of those decisions every day deserve to have a voice.
I want our children and grandchildren to look at the Kissimmee of the future and find a city where it is still possible to live, work, raise a family and prosper.”
The answer establishes a general governing principle: new development should be evaluated alongside the infrastructure and services necessary to support it.
What remains to be defined are the specific mechanisms Román would support to increase affordable housing, which development policies she would seek to change, and which transportation projects she would prioritize to address congestion.
Those details could become particularly important if she joins the Commission.
4. What does Román believe distinguishes her from the other candidates?
Her answer focuses primarily on a career developed outside elected government.
“What distinguishes me is that my service to the community began long before I sought public office. For more than 20 years, I have been close to our people as a businesswoman, communicator and community leader, working with families, seniors, small businesses and people going through difficult times.
As a businesswoman since 1999, I know personally what it means to work, manage resources, create opportunities and face the challenges of maintaining a business. As a communicator for more than 23 years, I have had the privilege of listening to the stories and needs of our community.
My academic and professional preparation complements that experience, but the most important thing I bring with me is a heart for service. For me, ‘Called to Serve’ is not simply a campaign slogan. It represents the way I have tried to live and serve our community.”
Her argument to voters is therefore clear.
Against an incumbent with years of municipal government experience, Román is asking voters to consider whether her business, media and community background offers the kind of outside perspective they want on the City Commission.
5. Her message to undecided voters
Román used the final question to make a direct appeal to residents who have not yet chosen a candidate.
“To every voter who is still making a decision, I want to speak from the heart: learn about our record, listen to our proposals and ask yourself who will truly be there for you after the election.
For more than 20 years, I have served this community without needing a title to do so. I have stood alongside our families, seniors, merchants and people who needed a helping hand. Today I am taking this step because I believe I can bring that same calling to serve to our City Commission.
I cannot promise that every problem will be solved overnight, but I can promise work, transparency, accessibility and a voice that will always remember whom it represents.
Kissimmee, my commitment is to you. Together, we will make a difference.”
What Román’s Answers Tell Voters
For the first time in this election series, voters have a more detailed statement of Román’s priorities directly from the candidate herself.
Five themes emerge: affordability, support for small businesses, responsible growth, citizen participation and greater accessibility to municipal government.
But her answers also create questions that deserve further scrutiny.
She proposes examining taxes and utility costs, but has not yet specified which ones she believes the City Commission could reduce. She supports affordable housing but does not identify a specific housing program or funding mechanism. And while she recognizes traffic congestion as a significant concern, she does not identify particular transportation projects she would prioritize.
Those are not necessarily contradictions. They represent the next level of scrutiny voters should expect in a local election: moving from what a candidate wants to accomplish to how those goals would be implemented, funded and measured.
That distinction will remain an important part of The Sun Post Decides 2026 coverage.
Angela Eady Has Not Yet Responded
The same five questions, under the same editorial conditions, were also submitted to Angela Eady, the incumbent Vice Mayor seeking reelection to Seat 2.
As of publication, Eady had not submitted her responses.
The invitation remains open. If her answers are received before Election Day, The Sun Post will publish them under the same editorial standards and with the same opportunity afforded to Román.
The Sun Post Decides 2026 does not exist to tell Kissimmee residents how to vote. Our role is to ask questions, examine the answers, scrutinize the proposals and provide voters with the information necessary to make that decision themselves.
On August 18, that decision belongs to the voters of Kissimmee.
