Headline Surfer photos by Sera King / Dist. 8 state senate candidate Dorothy Hukill poses with Bill Roe, owner of Ocean Properties of New Smyrna Beach, during a fundraiser for her campaign at Clancy's Cantina in New Smyrna Beach attended by 75-plus supporters. Below is a map of the Senate 8th District.
By HENRY FREDERICKNEW SMYRNA BEACH, Fla. -- The newly created district 8 seat in the Florida Senate covers parts of Volusia, Lake and Marion counties, but for Republican candidate Dorothy Hukill, campaigning in New Smyrna Beach is as close to home as it gets for the former Port Orange mayor.
Hukill, the term-limited state representative, is in a heated battle for the partisan-coveted post with Volusia County Chair Frank Bruno, the Democrat, who also is term-limited. Both major parties are putting big bucks into this high-profile race, $2 million by the Republicans, and $1 million by the Democrats, just for TV ads.
And while both campaigns are well financed, Hukill takes nothing for granted. Arlene Conklin proudly displays the candidate's brochures as shown at far left. Diane t far left, is Hukill, like her opponent, knows all too well that money talks, and in order to reach as many voters as she can, local fundraisers are vitally important to help generate cash. And there's another benefit: energizing the base.
And so Hukill held court Monday at Clancy's Cantina in New Smyrna Beach, drawing in excess of 75 campaign supporters.
Among the more vocal was the beachside's Ocean Properties owner Bill Roe, who waxed poetic about Hukill.
"Let me tell you something about Dorothy," the longtime business owner and self-described conservative told Headline Surfer. "She's going to win this race. New Smyrna Beach needs to have Dorothy Hukill in Tallahassee to keep the liberals from wasting our tax dollars."
Roe did his part to add to the Hukill war chest, writing a check on the spot for $500.
And like a church plate with a healthy congregation, envelopes in checks were overflowing in a container on one of the high-rise tables at Clancy's.
A stoic-looking Dorothy Hukill listens to one of her campaign supporters. In the inset photo, Randy McHenry, an investor in the $16 million beachside Hampton Inn, makes the rounds at Hukill's fundraiser at Clancy's, across the street from the nearly built hotel on Flagler Avenue.
Another heavy hitter there was Randy McHenry, an investor in the $16 million Hampton Inn nearly built across the street from the restaurant on Flagler Avenue.
"Everybody here wants to see that Dorothy is elected on Nov. 6," McHenry said.
For Hukill, the message of her candidacy is direct and to the point: "This election is about the three counties that are looking for leadership, Florida's facing challenges like never before. I'm the only person in this race that understands these challenges and has the experiences and knowledge to deal with the issues."
Hukill seemed relaxed in the casual meet-and-greet in a place like Clancy's where families on tight budgets still come out to enjoy a great meal and enjoy the atmosphere. Not all businesses are as fortunate to have such a strong and loyal clientele.
"I'm looking forward to helping all these small businesses that are struggling," Hukill said. "Jobs is the No. 1 issue. As I look around in the heart of my (state representative) district, I see one small business after another struggling to maintain jobs in this difficult economy."
"I'm looking forward to helping all these small businesses that are struggling," Hukill said. "Jobs is the No. 1 issue. As I look around in the heart of my (state representative) district, I see one small business after another struggling to maintain jobs in this difficult economy."
Real estate magnates like Roe readily embrace Hukill's focus on jobs -- not by creating more bureaucracy in government, but by keeping a lid on state spending.
"Dorothy understands that if you put an end to all of the government regulations, cut taxes and let private enterprise breathe, the jobs will be there," Roe stressed.
"Something has to be done because we can't continue allowing these politicians at the county, in Tallahassee and in Washington, to continue to spend."
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