Voters will choose between Mueller, Jones

Because no District 2 candidate received 50% of the vote, the city of Winter Garden will hold a runoff election between incumbent Ron Mueller and challenger Iliana Ramos Jones.

By Annabelle Sikes
| 9:00 a.m. April 4, 2024

West Orange Times & Observer
News

The Winter Garden City Commission, at its Thursday, March 28, meeting, approved a resolution declaring the results of the general election held March 19 for Districts 2, 3 and 4.

Because no District 2 candidate received 50% of the vote, the city will hold a runoff election April 16 between incumbent Ron Mueller and challenger Iliana Ramos Jones. Danny “DJ” Culberson Jr. was the third contestant in the race.

In the municipal election, Jones had 247 election-day votes, 151 early votes and 189 vote-by-mail, which accounted for 587 votes (48.04%). Mueller had 137 election-day votes, 182 early votes and 193 vote-by-mail, totaling 512 votes (41.90%). Culberson had 40 election-day votes, 38 early votes and 45 vote-by-mail, for a total of 123 votes (10.07%).

In the District 3 race, Chloe Johnson beat Karen McNeil for the District 3 seat. Johnson had 275 election-day votes, 176 early votes and 236 vote-by-mail, which accounted for 687 total votes (68.09%). McNeil had 115 election-day votes, 98 early votes and 109 vote-by-mail, which added up to 322 total votes (31.91%).

Johnson earned incumbent Mark A. Maciel’s endorsement following his withdrawal from the election two days after qualifying in November.

Current District 4 Commissioner Colin Sharman was unopposed, so no election was required.

Polling locations for the runoff election will be Tanner Hall, 29 W. Garden Ave.; West Orlando Christian Center, 1301 E. Bay St.; Faith Family Community Church, 305 Beulah Road; and Oakland Presbyterian Church, 218 E. Oakland Ave.

Early voting will take place from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. April 8-12 at the Orange County Supervisor of Elections office, 119 W. Kaley St., Orlando.

The candidate selected will serve a four-year term.

To read more about the candidates, click here.

IN OTHER NEWS

The Winter Garden City Commission approved a purchase order to Carollo Engineering to develop a local limits evaluation for the wastewater treatment facility permit requirements in the amount of $66,000.

The commission approved a purchase order to Mead & Hunt to produce a design drawing for stormwater collection system modifications on Roper Drive in the amount of $149,421.

The city approved a site plan and binding lot agreement for 950 S. Dillard St. and 51 E. Morgan St. An applicant is hoping to develop the 2.19-acre property with a new two-story, 16,147-square-foot commercial building along Dillard Street in front of the existing former bank building.

Commissioners approved the Arts in April VIP fundraiser hosted by the Winter Garden Art Association. The special event will take place Saturday, April 27, at several locations throughout downtown Winter Garden.

The Community Redevelopment Agency approved a reimbursement of the city’s General Fund for the purchase of a property located at 813 E. Bay St. in the amount of $250,000. The CRA expects the key parcel to greatly enable the city’s streetscape improvement plans for the overall revitalization of the Historic East Winter Garden Neighborhood, including the expansion of the entire right-of-way along Tenth Street from North Street in the north to East Bay Street in the south.

City Commissioner Mark A. Maciel read several comments and thanked the commission at his last meeting. Chloe Johnson is set to replace Maciel as District 3 commissioner.

author

Annabelle Sikes

News Editor Annabelle Sikes was born in Boca Raton and moved to Orlando in 2018 to attend the University of Central Florida. She graduated from UCF in May 2021 with a bachelor’s degree in journalism and a minor in sociology. Her past journalism experiences include serving as a web producer at the Orlando Sentinel, a reporter at The Community Paper, managing editor for NSM Today, digital manager at Centric Magazine and as an intern for the Orlando Weekly.