Sheriff Ben Johnson big winner in SEV Chamber straw poll; Hathaway gets by Denys for county council seat

 

250 attend hob nob at Brannon Center in New Smyrna Beach

Sheriff Ben Johnson / Headline SurferHeadline Surfer photos by Henry Frederick / Sheriff Ben Johnson speaks of his eperience at the Southeast Volusia Chamber ogf Commerce Hob Nob at the Brannon Center in New Smyrna Beach. Johnson was a big winner in the chamber's straw poll.

NEW SMYRNA BEACH -- Sheriff Ben Johnson was the big winner in the Southeast Volusia Chamber of Commerce's hob nob straw poll by a near 2-1 margin over challenger Wendell Bradford. The results were released today and posted on the chamber's Facebook page.

Johnson, endorsed by Headline Surfer, was the top vote getter in the straw poll with 95 votes to 46 for Bradford. The closest vote was in the race for county council dist. 3 with New Smyrna Beach City Commissioner Jim Hathaway just getting by former elected School Board member Deb Denys, 72 to 70.

In the race for the 6th congressional seat, Republican Ron DeSantis won by 20 over Democrat Heather Beaven, 81 to 61, and he wasn't even there.

In the race for county judge, Christopher Kelly easily outpolled Adam Warren 86 to 46.

About 250 people attended the chamber's hob nob Thursday at the Brannon Center, which was sponsored by the Daytona Beach News-Journal. Headline Surfer was the only media outlet covering the event.

Jim HathawayCarl PersisCounty Chair candidate Carl Persis is all smiles at the chamber hob nob while County Council dist. 3 candidate Jim Hathaway shown behind two Persis supporters maintains his serious look. Both candidates were winners in their respective races, a far as the straw poll is concerned.

Among local elected officials present who aren't running in this election were New Smyrna Beach City Commissioner Jack Grasty and Joie Alexander, the incumbent dist. 3 county council member who opted for retirement.

Team HukillSkip Diegel and Jack GrastyDorothy Hukill, shown here in red with her supporters,  won the straw poll in her race battle with Frank Bruno for the dist. 8 state senate race. New Smyrna Beach City Commissioner Jack Grasty, shown at right, shares some thoughts with WSBB  radio owner Skip Diegel.

Among prominent local business owners at the hob nob were Sheriff Johnson's brother, Walter Johnson, owner of Settle-Wilder Funeral Homes, and Skip Diegel, owner of WSBB radio.

Chamber hob nob crowdThere was a big crowd for the Southeast Volusia Chamber Hob Nob at the Brannon Center in New Smyrna Beach.

Among the other straw poll results:

State Senate dist 8 -- Republican Dorothy Hukill over Democrat Frank Bruno, 81 to 64:

State Representative dist. 25 -- Republican Dave Hood  over NPA Christina Spencer-Kephart, 77 to 56;

County Chair (non-partisan) -- Carl Persis over Jason Davis, 77 to 65;

Clerk of Circuit Court -- NPA Christine Sanders over incumbent Republican Diane M. Matousek, 90 to 50;

County Judge (non-partisan) -- Christopher Kelly over Adam Warren, 88 to 46.