Candidate: John Cortes

As a child, John Cortes never envisioned being an elected official. It goes to show that it can happen. 

John Cortes was born in Brooklyn, New York, and lived in Puerto Rico. He graduated from Pedro Albizu Campos High School and attended John Jay College of Criminal Justice in New York, majoring in Forensic Science for two years. 

John Cortes has been a retired New York City Corrections Officer since 1997 and served 15 years.  

John Cortes has been married for 42 years to his wife, Caridad. They relocated to Florida from New York, making Osceola County their home. They have two adult children and an adult granddaughter.  

John Cortes got the political bug when he got involved with the Kissimmee Crime Watch as president from 2000 to 2008, and he saw the need for change in his community. He initially ran for the City Mayor Seat 5 in 2006 and 2008. 

John Cortes ran for City Commissioner in Seat 3 in 2004 and City Commissioner Seat 2 in 2010. He did not win, but it did not stop him from pursuing his desire to serve and make a difference. 

John Cortes served in the Democratic Hispanic Caucus of Central Florida from 2004 to 2012 and served twice as president and vice president.

John Cortes, a former Florida State Representative, District 43, was elected to the Florida House in 2014 to 2020. He served three terms. 

During his time as a state representative, John Cortes was the Democratic Deputy Whip from 2016 to 2018. His committee assignments included the Government Operations and Appropriations Subcommittee, Democratic Ranking Member, Children, Families and Seniors Subcommittee, Health and Human Services Committee, and the Ways and Means Committee. John Cortes went on to co-sponsor many successful bills along with his colleagues. 

John Cortes's voting record in Tallahassee was exemplary, earning him an A rating each time.  

John Cortes worked with Congressman Darren Soto as his Outreach Director. He served from February 2022 to October 2023. 

John Cortes continued his commitment to the constituents of Osceola County and the State of Florida. 

John Cortes is living proof that anyone can be what they set their mind to be and be successful.