Two candidates rose to the top over three other opponents in the primary race for the Cape Coral City Council District 6 seat and are headed for a showdown in November.
Liza King and Annette Warren have secured the nominations for the council seat after receiving a combined 55% of the votes.
“I’m just looking forward to what comes next. Just continuing to work hard to make it across the finish line in November and just continuing to go out and meet residents and earn their trust and support,” King said.
The winner of the November general election will fill the city council seat currently occupied by incumbent Keith Long, who did not seek reelection.
District 6 includes northwest Cape Coral, but the voting is done citywide for the four-year term. All eligible voters, regardless of party affiliation, cast their ballots in the non-partisan elections, either through mail-in ballot, early voting or at the polls Aug. 18. Cape Coral had a total population of about 225,000 as of 2025.
Of 26/99 precincts reporting, Liza King received a total of 9,570 votes, which was about 28.8% of the total votes cast for the council seat. Warren received 8,817 votes, which was about 26.5% of all votes.
There was a total of approximately 33,244 votes.
Here are the two candidates who will face off in November:
ANNETTE WARREN
Age
48
Why voters should elect Warren for Cape Coral City Council District 6
“I’ve been a Cape Coral resident for 40 years. I grew up here, raised my family here, and have watched this city grow every step of the way.
“For the last 20 years, I’ve advocated for Cape Coral through local nonprofits and the Chamber of Commerce’s Government Affairs Committee. I don’t just talk about getting involved, I do the work.
“I was also part of the effort that helped secure Cape Coral a consistent vote on the Tourist Development Council.
“My experience, relationships and long-term commitment to this community help prepare me to guide Cape Coral through its next chapter,” Warren said in a Q&A with the News-Press in August.
Warren’s work, background and platform
With 40 years rooted in Cape Coral, Warren, 48, served as law enforcement officer in the U.S. Air Force.
Warren said by moving public comment, the public’s confidence has been weakened because residents now feel they are being heard only after the decisions are made. She believes that residents would be more confident in the local government if given the opportunity to speak before decisions are made.
Transparency about the costs of growth in Cape Coral is something Warren believes should be prioritized. Warren argues that to build consensus, the local government needs to be open and honest and show people the numbers, in that residents, developers, and city leaders should all understand what projects are needed, what they’ll cost, how much mobility fees will cover and where the gaps are.
Warren says that Cape Coral needs to create more opportunities for people to live and work here, not just commute elsewhere for a good-paying job. In order to do so, it means having sites ready for development, a predictable permitting process and strong workforce partnerships.
The city council candidate also believes that Cape Coral must continue improving roads, complete sidewalks in neighborhoods and use technology to improve traffic flow.
LIZA KING
Age
51
Why voters should elect King for Cape Coral City Council District 6
“Voters should choose me because I fully understand the city’s needs. I bring proven experience, leadership and a lifetime commitment to Cape Coral.
“I have spent more than 30 years serving the public, understanding budgets, contracts, and accountability.
“I am not a career politician. I am a lifelong Cape Coral resident who has watched this city grow and understands both its opportunities and its challenges.
“My priorities are straightforward: protect taxpayers, support law enforcement and first responders, improve infrastructure, manage growth responsibly, economic development and preserve the quality of life that makes Cape Coral a great place to live and raise a family,” King said in a Q&A with the News-Press in August.
King’s work, background and platform
A Realtor and lifelong Lee resident, King is a 20th Judicial Circuit chief deputy court administrator.
King says that to strengthen and reinforce the public’s confidence in its free speech, she would promote orderly meetings while making public comment more accessible as a city leader.
Furthermore, King believes that it is critical that current residents should not be left paying the full cost of infrastructure needed because of new growth and in order to address the shortfall, she would push for aggressive pursuit of state and federal grants, developer agreements for major projects and a transparent capital improvement list so residents can see where every dollar goes.
To address the matter of economic development, King’s plan focuses on attracting medical, technology, professional services and business headquarters. She believes that the city should improve permitting efficiency, strengthen workforce partnerships and recruit businesses that create jobs matching the cost of living.
The issue of traffic congestion that affects the quality of life for residents would be more easily resolved by prioritizing practical improvements that can happen sooner, including better traffic flow, signal timing, safer intersections and long-term planning. However, King is willing to explore innovative options, including water-based transportation, but taxpayers deserve proof that any new system is practical, cost-effective and sustainable before millions of dollars are committed.
King argues that the biggest mistake of Cape Coral’s current leadership has been failing to stay ahead of growth and exceeding budgets. She says the city needs more transparency, better long-term planning and greater accountability for results and that residents deserve a city government that focuses on core services first and always remembers that every dollar spent comes from taxpayers.
The other candidates were Joseph Angrisano, Ray Mule and Jeffrey Huddleston.
Tayeba Hussein is a breaking news reporter for The News-Press & Naples Daily News. Reach her at thussein@usatodayco.com.
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This article originally appeared on Fort Myers News-Press: Election results: King, Warren secure bids for Cape Coral City Council District 6
Reporting by Tayeba Hussein, Fort Myers News-Press & Naples Daily News / Fort Myers News-Press
USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect
By Tayeba Hussein, Fort Myers News-Press & Naples Daily News | USA TODAY Network
