The Fort Myers City Council has a new member, and one incumbent barely managed to retain his seat.

Architect Diana Giraldo won the 14,605-person District 2 race to replace outgoing Councilman Johnny Streets. She received 2,388 or 56.03% of the vote, compared to Jacquelyn McMiller’s 1,874 or 43.97%.

In pavilion 4, starter Liston “Lin” Bochette he maintained his seat by a margin of 62 votes, winning with 2,406 votes, or 50.65%, compared to rival Cindy Banyai’s 2,344 votes: 49.35%.

Registered voters in their respective districts elect nonpartisan council members, who serve four years and earn $47,0300 annually: $32,630 salary plus a $14,400 stipend.

➤2024 Lee County Election Results

Fort Myers Council District 2: Diana Giraldo vs. Jacquelyn McMiller

Giraldo’s career went to a second round after the primaries because no one obtained more than 50% of the votes, although candidate Giraldo was close, with 48.97% of the non-partisan vote.

Businesswoman and community advocate McMiller obtained 27.58%. Chanetta Campbell-Brunson obtained 23.45%, but the second round takes place between the two who obtained the most votes.

Giraldo and McMiller They were vying to fill the seat of long-serving Councilman Johnny Streets, who is retiring.

Fort Myers District 2 Two community advocates, an architect and a businesswoman, compete in the second round of the City Council

Giraldo campaigned to prioritize infrastructure and economic growth.

Covering much of the historic Black Dunbar neighborhood, pavilion 2 extends to Six Mile Cypress Slough Preserve and includes The Forum and the area around Top Golf. In 2020, its population was 14,605 ​​(citywide is 97,711) with 47% white and 20% black and an average age of 36.3 years.

Fort Myers Council District 4: Cindy Banyai vs. Lin Bochette

Athlete, artist, teacher and civic leader Liston (Lin) Bochette III successfully defended the position he has held since 2018. named after Councilman Mike Flanders left to take over Edison & Ford Winter Estates, Bochette won the seat in 2020.

Challenger and FGCU instructor Banyai had not run for council before, but was still an experienced candidate, twice facing off against Byron Donalds for the 19th US Congressional District seat.

Fort Myers District 4 Olympian-turned-artist/teacher takes on wrestler-turned-instructor/activist in City Council race

Bochette’s campaign focused on preserving the city’s historic assets, adding parks and green spaces, improving the city’s water and sewer infrastructure, and saving taxpayers money.

pavilion 4 runs the length of Caloosahatchee and includes much of the River District’s historic downtown, as well as the historic, royal palm-lined McGregor Boulevard and its surrounding corridor. The average age of the neighborhood is 47.7 years, making it the oldest in the city.

This article originally appeared in the Fort Myers News-Press: Fort Myers City Council Elections: Giraldo Wins District 2, Bochette District 4