Challenger Nancy Epps and incumbent dist 2 County Council member Joshua Wagner agree to public debate

Nancy Eps and Joshua WagnerHeadline Surfer photo by Henry Frederick / Former Ponce Inlet Mayor Nancy Epps, shown here, is challenging first-term dist. 2 Volusia County Council member Joshua Wagner in the Nov. 6 general elections.  

PORT ORANGE -- Challenger Nancy Epps and incumbent dist. 2 Volusia County Council member Joshua Wagner have each committed to participating in a public debate sponsored by Headline Surfer leading up to the Nov. 6 general elections.

Epps, who finished second to Wagner in the Aug. 14 primary in a three-way contest to force the run-off said she's looking forward to debating the issues.

"Yes, of course," the former Ponce Inlet mayor said.

Wagner was equally eager to debate the issues saying, "Name the date and time and I'll be there."

Headline Surfer is hoping to schedule such a debate in the next couple of weeks and will announce a time, date and location as soon as a venue is secured. 

Epps Wagner primary resultsWagner, the first-term incumbent, won the Aug. 14 primary with nearly 45 percent of the votes with Epps finishing second with nearly 37 percent of the votes.

Ken Ali was not a factor, finishing a distant third and out of the running with just over 18 percent of the votes.

Because Wagner fell short of 50 percent plus 1 of the 16,221 votes cast in the primary to win the seat outright, he and Epps will settle their score in the Nov. 6 runoffs. Epps lost to Wagner four years ago in the general election by less than a percentage point.

Because Wagner fell short of 50 percent plus 1 of the 16,221 votes cast in the primary to win the seat outright, he and Epps will settle their score in the Nov. 6 runoffs. Epps lost to Wagner four years ago in the general election by less than a percentage point.

The district 2 seat on the County Council represents Daytona Beach Shores, South Daytona, Ponce Inlet and portions of Daytona Beach, Port Orange and Volusia County.

Headline Surfer was the first media outlet in Volusia County to hold public candidate debates in advance of the primary with eight races in a day-long marathon on July 21 at the Brannon Center in New Smyrna Beach. The 24/7 Internet newspaper was also first leading up to the Nov. 6 general elections with three public debates earlier this month at the Oak Hill City Hall with races for mayor of that city, Volusia County chair and the dist. 3 seat on the County Council. Those debates will be posted this weekend. 

Headline Surfer is Florida's first 24/7 Internet newspaper launched April 7, 2008, initially as NSBNews.net. It is based in New Smyrna Beach, covering Volusia County and throughout the Orlando Metropolitan Area via HeadlineSurfer.com, NSBNews.net and VolusiaNews.net. "Headline Surfer" is a registered trademark owned by NSB News LLC, for editorial, marketing and advertising purposes. All rights reserved.

Jim Hathaway