Courtesy photo.

Roger Gray is hoping is first foray into elected office will be a successful vote with the mentallity that every vote counts.

Roger Gray, candidate for the Volusia County Council District 3 seat, may be a newcomer to politics, but he has a wild card: The union vote.

Still, he takes nothing for granted in making a plea to the voters on his campaign website: "Make a difference for me on August 24th and I will make a difference for you for the next 4 years!"

Gray , treasurer of the Volusia County Teachers Organization, said he believes he will receive strong union support,  where he enjoys making a living, but takes nothing for granted.

He said he is often heard saying:"I have one of the best jobs in the world. Every day I get to help someone who is working hard for our students, our future.”

Gray, a former longtime teacher at New Smyrna Beach High School, lists the following attributes:

•A working family background, not a politician;

•Valuable business experience;

•Valuable financial experience;

•Solution oriented problem solving skills;

•A four year commitment to you Gray says, if elected, he will:

•Work to bring quality jobs to Volusia;

•Maintain and improve the quality of service you deserve;

•Include all stakeholders in the process.

Gray and his wife live in New Smyrna Beach with their two children, four cats and a dog named Bali.