DORAL.— Councilwoman Maureen Porras was one step away from retaining her seat on the Doral Municipal Council, after the manual recount concluded this Saturday maintained her advantage over Fernanda Gomes, now by just 12 votes. The tight difference leaves Porras with the largest vote, although his re-election has not yet been officially certified.
Miami-Dade Elections Supervisor Alina García reported that Porras obtained 9,596 votes compared to Gomes’ 9,584. The figures correspond to the second list of unofficial results, issued after the review of the ballots for the elections on Tuesday, November 3.
Of the 19,180 votes counted for seat 2, the difference between both candidates is equivalent to approximately 0.06 percentage points. The recount did not change the order of the candidates, but it again narrowed the margin that separated them.
A difference that changed several times
Election night was marked by constant variations. Porras began with an advantage of more than 400 votes, reduced to just eight when the results from the eight Doral precincts were incorporated.
The gap subsequently increased to 16 votes, fell to 15 in Thursday’s update and ended at 12 after Saturday’s recount.
Before the review, Porras had expressed confidence in retaining her position. “I think the recount will not change the result,” he told DIARIO LAS AMÉRICAS. “I expected such tough competition, I told my voters, the community.”
The councilor also questioned Mayor Christi Fraga’s political support for Gomes. “My opponents spent more than three times what my campaign spent, it was a competition against the mayor (Christi Fraga) because Fernanda (Gomes) was little known in this community,” he declared. The difference in expenses alleged by Porras has not been independently verified.
The reactions and future of the Council
Gomes, for his part, had avoided anticipating the outcome while awaiting the electoral review. “I receive these figures with serenity and a lot of gratitude for each person who trusted me and for the team that accompanied me,” he told DIARIO LAS AMÉRICAS.
“I am left with the affection of so many neighbors and with the same desire to continue contributing to this beautiful city,” he added.
The election of seat 2 acquired political relevance due to the differences between Porras and Mayor Fraga. The result will determine whether the councilor maintains her position or if Gomes, supported by the mayor, joins the municipal government.
Meanwhile, seat 4 was in the hands of Peter Espinosa, who far surpassed Gustavo Garagorry and will succeed Vice Mayor Digna Cabral, who exhausted the term limit.
With the recount concluded, attention now turns to the official certification, the pending step to formalize the result of a race decided, for the moment, by only 12 votes.
