Final count keeps Mayor Kevin McCann in office by 111 votes; he and two commissioners take the oath Monday

Winter Springs Mayor Kevin McCann has held his seat by 111 votes, with the last overseas ballots now counted in one of the closest races in Seminole County this fall.

The Seminole County Supervisor of Elections finalized the results Friday after overseas ballots postmarked by Election Day came in, Oviedo Community News reported. The final tally gives McCann 8,293 votes and challenger Jesse Phillips 8,182, roughly a 50.3% to 49.7% split. An earlier count had put the gap at 106 votes.

All three incumbents on the Winter Springs ballot kept their seats. McCann and Commissioners Cade Resnick and Victoria Bruce are scheduled to be sworn in at Monday's City Commission meeting, according to Oviedo Community News.

What each candidate said

After election night, with 99% of the vote counted and McCann in front, the mayor told Oviedo Community News he hoped "everybody can remember we're neighbors and bring the tone down."

Phillips, a co-founder of the Winter Springs Community Association, said in a statement quoted by the outlet that "leaders must respect election results, especially close ones," and called his effort "an incredible grassroots campaign" that "achieved a photo finish." He also urged the commission to honor voters' approval of Amendment 3 and not work around it with higher millage rates or new fees.

During the campaign, Phillips supported a charter change that would have given the mayor a vote on the commission and possibly the power to hire and fire city staff. That proposal died in the Florida Legislature.

How McCann got here

McCann first became mayor by appointment after former Mayor Charles Lacey resigned following a wastewater discharge that led to a fish kill. He won his first election to the office in 2022.

Monday's meeting also carries several items already on the agenda, including repairs to a failing storm pipe under Sheoah Boulevard and a decision on the closed Central Winds Park playground.

Sources

oviedocommunitynews.org