Same-sex marriage supporter easily wins Costa Rica elections

By: The Associated Press

Monday, April 2, 2018 12:05 AM

SAN JOSE, Costa Rica (AP) Voters gave a resounding no to an upstart evangelical pastor who rose to political prominence by campaigning against same-sex marriage, allowing Costa Rica's governing party to win an easy presidential victory.

While polls had indicated Sunday's runoff would be tight, it was not even close. Carlos Alvarado, a novelist and former Cabinet minister running for the ruling Citizen Action Party, won by a wide margin.

The Supreme Electoral Council said that with 95 percent of ballots counted late Sunday, Carlos Alvarado had 60.8 percent of the votes, and evangelical Fabricio Alvarado of the National Restoration party had 39.2 percent. The two men are not related.

Same-sex marriage supporter easily wins Costa Rica elections

CORRECTS NAME OF PARTY - Presidential candidate Carlos Alvarado, with Citizen Action Party, walks away after casting his vote in a presidential runoff election in San Jose, Costa Rica, Sunday, April 1, 2018. Carlos Alvarado is a novelist and former labor minister. (AP Photo)

The Associated Press

Supporters of presidential candidate Carlos Alvarado, with the Citizen Action Party, cheer after polls closed during a presidential election runoff in San Jose, Costa Rica, Sunday, April 1, 2018. (AP Photo/Arnulfo Franco)

The Associated Press

A supporter of presidential candidate Carlos Alvarado, of the Citizen Action Party, waves a party flag after polls closed during a presidential election runoff in San Jose, Costa Rica, Sunday, April 1, 2018. (AP Photo/Arnulfo Franco)

The Associated Press

Presidential candidate Fabricio Alvarado cast his vote at a polling station during a presidential election runoff in San Jose, Costa Rica, Sunday, April 1, 2018. Voters will choose between Carlos Alvarado of the ruling Citizen Action Party and Alvarado of National Restoration Party. (AP Photo/Arnulfo Franco)

The Associated Press

Supporters of the presidential candidate Fabricio Alvarado cheers at a polling station during a presidential election runoff in San Jose, Costa Rica, Sunday, April 1, 2018. Voters will choose between Carlos Alvarado of the ruling Citizen Action Party and Alvarado of National Restoration Party. (AP Photo/Arnulfo Franco)

The Associated Press

This combination of two photos shows Citizen Action Party presidential candidate Carlos Alvarado, left, on March 29, 2018, and National Restoration Party presidential candidate Fabricio Alvarado on Feb. 1, 2018, in San Jose, Costa Rica. A recent poll indicated a statistical tie in the second-round runoff April 1 vote between the two candidates. (Arnulfo Franco/AP Photos/File)

The Associated Press