Miami‑Dade residents received the final tally for Doral’s Councilmember Seat 2 after a manual recount conducted on Saturday, according to the Miami‑Dade Supervisor of Elections.
Supervisor Alina Garcia announced that candidate Fernanda Gomes received 9,584 votes, while Maureen Porras earned 9,596 votes. The 12‑vote margin awarded the seat to Porras, ending a closely watched municipal contest.
The recount process, overseen by the Supervisor’s office, was initiated after the initial count produced a similarly narrow gap between the two candidates. Garcia’s statement confirmed that the manual verification of ballots did not alter the overall outcome, but it did provide the definitive numbers needed to certify the winner.
Both candidates campaigned for the open seat, which represents a key district within the city of Doral. While the source does not detail policy positions, the result will shape the city council’s composition and its decisions on local matters such as zoning, public safety, and community services that directly affect Miami‑area residents.
In a related development, the federal race for Florida’s 27th Congressional District between Maria Elvira Salazar and Eliott Rodriguez is also heading to a recount, though that dispute now involves a separate lawsuit over oversight. The Doral recount, however, concluded with the Supervisor of Elections’ certification of the vote totals.
For Doral voters, the outcome confirms the city’s next council representative and concludes a race that hinged on a handful of ballots, highlighting the importance of participation in local elections.
Sources: nbcmiami.com
