3 Runoff Elections Set for Volusia County Council

Three runoff elections have been set for Volusia County Council this November. In the primary election on Tuesday no candidate eclipsed 50% of the vote between the races, meaning each district’s top two candidates will advance to the general election. For the At-Large seat, it was Nancy Miller and Mike Poniatkowski who advanced, while Barry Powell was eliminated. In District 1 incumbent Don Dempsey and challenger Wendy Anderson prevailed while Melissa Thorne was left behind. In District 3 incumbent Danny Robins and challenger Bryon White moved on, with Anthony Gorham losing out. The closest candidate to the 50% threshold between the three races was Wendy Anderson in District 1. She turned in a 47.58% performance, drawing over 3,000 more votes than incumbent Don Dempsey. “THANK YOU to all of you who came out and voted in the Primary election, and who supported my campaign in so many ways over the past year+,” Anderson posted to Facebook. “We have 77 more days to WIN THIS in the General Election!” Bryon White was also within sight of the 50% line, pulling 46.12% of the vote. In this case incumbent Danny Robins wasn’t quite so far back, however; the current councilman drew 38.71%. “We can’t take our foot of the gas, but voters overwhelmingly approved our message last night – that sprawl is no longer a viable growth model for Volusia County – that we need to protect our water and green spaces, and above all, protect residents from flooding,” White said. “Our amazing Volunteers, my incredible parents, aunt, and brother, friends, neighbors, and people from all walks of life who all worked tirelessly over the last few weeks to push this campaign into the winners circle.” Two of the three races had an incumbent candidate, with neither one finishing with the most votes. The At-Large race’s current seat-holder is Jake Johansson, who’s on the ballot for the Florida Senate race in District 8. Johansson is the Republican nominee, facing Democrat Judy Ngying and Libertarian Gabriel Wozniak. Volusia County Council At-Large Nancy J. Miller – 41.62% – 41,515 – ADVANCES TO RUNOFF Mike Poniatowski – 39.14% – 39,038 – ADVANCES TO RUNOFF Barry Powell – 19.24% – 19,192 Volusia County Council, District 1 Wendy Anderson – 47.58% – 9,736 – ADVANCES TO RUNOFF Don Dempsey (i) – 32.07% – 6,562 – ADVANCES TO RUNOFF Melissa D. Thorne – 20.35% – 4,163 Volusia County Council, District 3 Anthony Gorham – 15.17% – 3,822 Danny Robins (i) – 38.71% – 9,753 – ADVANCES TO RUNOFF Bryon White – 46.12% – 11,619 – ADVANCES TO RUNOFF