Rick Karl, former director of Daytona Beach International Airport and local business lawyer, is running for the District 29 seat in the Florida House of Representatives. Rick, a lifetime Democrat, comes from a rich heritage of public service in Volusia County. During World War II, his grandmother established the Mary Karl Vocational School in Daytona Beach which would later become Daytona State College. Working with Dr. Mary McLeod Bethune and First Lady Eleanor Roosevelt, Mary Karl obtained federal land where Daytona State College sits today. 
Rick’s father, Fred Karl, was a decorated World War II veteran and returned home to practice law, serve in the Florida House and the Florida Senate from Volusia County. He would later win a statewide election to serve on the Florida Supreme Court. Rick hopes to carry on his family legacy of public service.
“My youngest daughter is 8 years old; I understand that the hope of every parent is to see their child grow up in a safe and nurturing environment where they feel included in society. The current Legislature is not creating this type of environment for our children, or for us as Florida residents. I am compelled to enter public service to be a voice of reason in an age of divisive culture wars. Let’s work together rather than to engage in hateful rhetoric,” stated Karl.
Rick is the former Director of Aviation & Economic Resources for Volusia County. This means he ran Daytona Beach International Airport, overseeing an airport operation with a $2.1 billion economic impact. The Economic Development Division also fell under Rick’s leadership, where he successfully worked to attract and retain companies that created jobs and diversified our local economy. This included working with multiple stakeholders to bring the Amazon distribution center to Deltona.
Throughout his career, Rick has remained a lawyer earning the highest AV Preeminent® rating by Martindale-Hubbell® peer review rating system. Prior to working for Volusia County, Rick was General Counsel for a startup company that developed medical billing software. This entrepreneurial endeavor grew to a point it held an initial public offering and was listed on the NASDAQ exchange. Rick has the spirit of an entrepreneur; he understands what it means to run a small business and has experience managing a publicly traded company. Rick currently practices law with the local firm of Cobb Cole. He is ready to get us back to the business of governing.
Joining the Rick Karl Campaign as Treasurer is Bill Olivari. Bill is a lifetime Republican and founder of his own CPA business in Ormond Beach. According to Olivari, “Rick grasps the need for our state Legislature to focus on the real issues impacting working people and their families. Home insurance premiums are skyrocketing, we are in dire need of housing stock, and our children require a world-class education. These issues are the business of government, and Rick — as an experienced leader — can get us back to work.”
Karl added, “I value every person’s humanity and do not fear our differences. I believe this is a strength. Over half a million people live in Volusia County. We are a diverse region, and there will be differences among us. As a duly elected official representing the interests of all residents, I am committed to finding how we should define reasonable solutions.”
District 29 covers DeLand, Lake Helen, Cassadaga, Deltona, Osteen and the Spruce Creek Fly-In. Having no Democratic opposition in the Primary Election, Rick will run against the primary-selected Republican during the Nov. 8 General Election.
– Political advertisement paid for and approved by Rick Karl, Dem., for State Representative, District 29.
