The clock struck noon in Florida, signaling the deadline to file paperwork to run in local and state elections. Last-minute candidates filed for some races, while others were automatically elected without opposition.
Volusia County Supervisor of Elections Lisa Lewis and Tax Collector Will Roberts, and Property Appraiser Larry Bartlett were all re-elected unopposed.
Volusia County Clerk of Court
Longtime clerk Laura Roth faces two challengers for the first time since she was elected in 2016. MacKenzie Quinn has qualified, as well as John Flemm, a self-described “Husband, Florida native, and small business owner.” Flemm is running to “defend Florida from extremist ideologies and corrupt individuals,” according to his campaign website.
Volusia County Sheriff
Incumbent Mike Chitwood will face James L. Powers. Chitwood has $95,294 in his campaign fund, while Powers has $5,900.
Volusia County Council
Three of the seven seats on the Volusia County Council are up for election this year. One has already been filled — Troy Kent was unopposed to retain his District 4 seat and was re-elected automatically. In District 2, which includes most of Daytona Beach, Steve Miller has filed to run against incumbent Matt Reinhart.
The big ticket item of the council race is sure to be that of county chair. Incumbent Jeff Brower is facing three contenders: Current Port Orange Mayor Don Burnette, former Volusia County Council Member Deb Denys, and businessman Randy Dye.
Denys, who previously served eight years on the council, lost to Jeff Brower in 2020 by about 15 percent of the vote.
Dye has amassed a formidable campaign war chest of $295,446, more than half of which he has already spent on campaigning. Comparatively, Brower has nearly $45,000 and Burnette around $32,560. Denys, who filed last week, has $0.
Volusia County School Board
Two seats on the Volusia County School Board are up in 2024 — and both represent the east side of the county. In District 4, incumbent Carl Persis, a longtime educator and board member, faces two challengers in Donna Brosemer and Sarah Marzilli.
Similarly, three hopefuls are vying for School Board District 2 seat currently occupied by Anita Burnette. Burnette declined to run for re-election. Cassandra Gonyer, Krista Goodrich and Angela Kopnicky have all qualified for the seat.
DeBary
William Sell and Jim Pappalardo were elected unopposed to seats 1 and 2, respectively.
DeLand
DeLandite Harper Hill, of Allstate Insurance, has filed to run against Richard Paiva, the father of current City Commissioner Charles Paiva.
City Commissioner Dan Reed was re-elected unopposed.
Read more coverage here: https://beacononlinenews.com/2024/06/14/deland-heading-toward-no-election-this-year/
Deltona
It’ll be a busy season in Deltona, as Deltona districts 1, 2, 4 and 6 are all up.
In District 1, Morris “Gunny” Forscher, James Davison Heriot, and Brandy White have all qualified as of June 14.
Elizabeth Chavez, Emma Santiago, and Troy Shimkus will vie for District 2.
Incumbent Dana McCool faces challenger Dori Suzanna Howington in District 4.
And finally, in District 6, current Vice-Mayor Jody Lee Storozuk will face Dominic “Nick” Lulli, who said he would run last year.
Lake Helen
Roger Eckert, representing Zone 2, and Charlene Bishop, representing Zone 4, were both re-elected unopposed.
Orange City
Two seats are up for City Council — and four were elected with out opposition. Districts 1, 3 and 4 were filled unopposed, by Harold Grimm, Alexander Salvatierra Tiamson, and Lisa Marie Richardson, respectively. Orange City Council Member At-Large is filled by Dana Knight.
For mayor, Kelli Marks will face Laurie Scotton, while incumbent Lisa Stafford will face challenger Cristian Oyarbide.
Pierson
Pierson will have one race, for City Council Seat 4. Jimmy Anferson will face incumbent Sergia Cardenas.
