New Smyrna Beach's Deb Denys endorsed by Volusia Tax Reform founder for county council dist. 3 seat

Justin Kennedy backed by unions; Jim Hathaway supported by 13 past & present elected politicians

NEW SMYRNA BEACH -- Volusia Tax Reform founder Margie Patchett has thrown her support behind county council dist. 3 candidate Deb Denys over fellow challengers Justin Kennedy and Jim Hathaway.

Patchett, personally, is supporting and endorsing Denys because she is an "advocate for smaller government and accountability and transparency in government."

The VTR founder added, "I trust Deb; that she will make the right choice, right decision and ask those tough questions that need to be asked at our county level of government."

Denys was thrilled with the endorsement, saying,"Margie trusts me, adding she hopes to "earn the honor" of the voters in the Aug. 14 primary with Early Voting beginning today.

Though the race for county council dist. 3 is non-partisan, Denys, a Republican and former elected Volusia County School Board member, is strongly supported by the conservative Republican base as demonstrated by Patchett, who started up Volusia Tax Reform six monrths ago.

Kennedy, a first-term Edgewater councilman and Hathaway, in his 18th and final year on the New Smyrna Beach City Commission are both Democrats with Kennedy receiving the lion's share of the union endorsements and Hathaway listing endorsements of individual elected politicians, both past and present. 

Justin Kennedy's endorsements

Volusia Sherrif's Deputies Association,  Volusia Teachers Organization,  Edgewater Professional Firefighters Association,  Daytona Beach Fire/Rescue Association.

Jim Hathaway's endorsements

Former County Chair Clay Henderson, former dist. 3 County Councilman Jack Hayman; former County Councilman Jack Ascherl, former County Councilman and ex-Port Orange Mayor Jim Ward, former County Councilwoman and New Smyrna Beach Commissioner Lynne Plaskett, former County Council candidate and New Smyrna Beach resident Barbara Herrin, New Smyrna Beach Mayor Adam Barringer, former NSB Mayor Sally Mackay, former NSB Mayor Jim Vandergrifft, former NSB Mayor and Commissioner Bill Rogers, Former NSB Mayor William S. Hathaway (his father), NSB Commissioner Judy Reiker and NSB Commissioner Jack Grasty.

This video highlights Volusia Tax Reform founder and Exceutive Director Margie Patchett's interviews earlier this campaign season with dist. 3 County Council candidates Deb Denys and Jim Hathaway. Patchett said an invitation sent by mail as well to fellow candidate Justin Kennedy went unanswered. He told Headline Surfer he never received it.

Headline Surfer debate

Headline Surfer videos by Sera Frederick / Here are the videos from the July 21 County Council dist. 3 public candidate debate at the Brannon Center in New Smyrna Beach sponsored and moderated by Headline Surfer. Here is a link to the story: http://headlinesurfer.com/content/409701-issue-experience-or-lack-thereof-touted-new-smyrna-beach-debate-between-candidates-co