It’s official: Winter Springs Mayor Kevin McCann certified winner 

Winter Springs Mayor Kevin McCann has officially been reelected in a hotly-contested election race decided by 111 votes. 

The Seminole County  Supervisor of Elections finalized the votes Friday, after waiting for overseas ballots, postmarked by Election Day, to arrive.

Ultimately, the final vote count didn’t change after the final day’s tally: McCann got 8,293 votes, while challenger Jesse Phillips got 8,182 votes. 

McCann previously said he looks forward to working on city issues. 

“I think we’ve got a lot to be grateful for and maybe now that the election is over we can call for some peace and maybe everybody can remember we’re neighbors and bring the tone down,” McCann previously said after election night, when he was ahead with 99% of votes counted. 

McCann was first appointed mayor when then-mayor Charles Lacey resigned after a wastewater plant discharge caused a fish kill. He won his first election in 2022, and his current term as mayor goes until 2026. 

All three incumbents in Winter Springs held onto their seats. McCann and commissioners Cade Resnick and Victoria Bruce will all take the oath of office next Monday.

Jesse Phillips, McCann’s opponent, is the cofounder of the Winter Springs Community Association. Phillips was an advocate of changing Winter Springs charter to give the mayor a vote and, potentially, the ability to hire and fire staff; that bill was ultimately defeated in the Florida Legislature. 

“We ran an incredible grassroots campaign, overcame tremendous obstacles, and achieved a photo finish,” Phillips said. “I am deeply honored by the community’s support. I believe leaders must respect election results, especially close ones. I congratulate Mayor McCann and call on the entire commission to likewise respect the voters’ approval of Amendment 3. Attempting to circumvent their will through higher millage rates or new fees would undermine the commission’s legitimacy. I look forward to peaceful, prosperous years ahead as our leaders embrace the voters’ mandate to fundamentally reform how our city operates.”

Abe Aboraya is a Report for America corps member.