Primary Upset: John Cortes Beats Florida Rep. Ricardo Rangel

John Cortes, the vice president of the Florida Hispanic Caucus and a retired New York City corrections officer, pulled off a major upset in the Democratic primary on Tuesday by beating state Rep. Ricardo Rangel, D-Kissimmee.

With 5,494 votes counted, Cortes had 2,843 votes (51.75 percent) and Rangel had 2,651 (48.25 percent).

John Cortes has dedicated his career to public service and I know he will bring those same values with him to the Legislature, said Allison Tant, the chairwoman of the Florida Democratic Party, after the results were known. From his time as a police officer to his extensive work as an activist in Osceola County, John has always put his fellow community members ahead of himself. I look forward to working with John to ensure that the residents of District 43 continue to have representation that puts the middle class first this fall.

Rangel heavily outspent Cortes in the primary contest, raising $90,325, relying on $4,500 of in-kind donations and spending almost $80,800. Cortes loaned his campaign $8,800, raised $6,865, used $100 of in-kind donations and spent $15,247.35.

Republican Carlos Irizarry awaits Cortes in the general election though this district, which represents parts of Osceola County, is strongly Democratic.