Photos for Headline Surfer / ABOVE: Don Dempsey, a private attorney in DeLand (shown top left), is the incumbent office-holder for the non-partisan District 1 seat on the Volusia County Council representing greater DeLand. Dempsey won the seat in the Nov. 8, 2022 elections, with a whopping 58.10 percent of the votes cast over then-incumbent Barbara Girtman of DeLand. Dempsey's challenger this time around is Wendy Anderson, 57 (shown top right inset), of DeLand, a professor of environmental science and studies at Stetson University in DeLand, and former chair of the Volusia County Soil & Water District. BELOW: Dempsey, 61, is shown with his son, Grayson Dempsey, who competes in motocross races throughout the Southeast US.
By HENRY FREDERICK / Headline Surfer
DELAND, Fla. -- Trusted leadership and proven results on the dais in the Frank T. Bruno County Council chambers have been the legacy of Don Dempsey in the District 1 seat.
Dempsey has served on the Volusia County Council for approximately three years and nine months, having taken office in January 2023. He won the four years ago over then-incumbent Barbara Girtman, 22,846 to 16,473, or 58.10 percent of the vote total.
And as he rounds out his four-year term, Dempsey has a proven track record of success, having worked to build consensus in tackling major pressing issues with honor and perseverance. Among the major ongoing issues in Dempsey's own words in his bid for re-election:
• 
FLOODING:
Don Dempsey: "We must find a responsible way to mitigate flooding in Volusia County."
• REDUCE TAXES:
Don Dempsey: "The County Council must continue to look for ways to cut spending along with taxes."
• 
FIGHT FOR HOME RULE:
Don Dempsey: "Tallahassee is chipping away at our Home Rule Rights and we must fight back."
• 
NO DEEP WELL INJECTION:
Don Dempsey: "I will fight against injecting our Reclaimed Water deep into the ground potentially polluting our Aquifer."
• 
NO AI DATA CENTERS:
Don Dempsey: "AI Data Centers are known to drive up energy costs for surrounding communities as well as strain water resources."
The bottom line:
These issues require an office holder with proven experience and plenty of moxie - both of which Don Dempsey excels in.
The latter is especially important considering:
- Courage and Grit:
Having a fighting spirit, nerve, or the bravery to face challenges without giving up.
- Energy and Pep:
Being full of life, vigor, or dynamic spirit.
- Know-How and Skill:
Possessing practical expertise, cleverness, or sharp capability.
These are what separates and distinguishes Dempsey from his election challenger, Wendy Anderson.
Perhaps what most identifies Anderson's water preservation stance is her opposition to a blanket ban on "toilet-to-tap" (potable water reuse), arguing that such a ban does not address immediate water quality priorities.
Anderson urged the County Council not to ban potable water reuse ("toilet-to-tap"), noting that while she is not strictly against a ban, she does not view it as the most pressing water issue facing the county. Dempsey supports an outright ban on the controversial "toilet to tap" concept.
Dempsey makes dream come true for families & kids, including his own with moto-cross complex
The Volusia County Council approved a $4.62 million purchase of a 356-acre site off State Road 44 (between DeLand and New Smyrna Beach) to develop a combined conservation and motocross facility, spearheaded by Dempsey and his elected colleagues on the dais.
- Location:
356 acres located along State Road 44, adjacent to the Volusia County Gun and Hunt Club and the Longleaf Pine Preserve.
- Site Breakdown:
Approximately 279 acres are designated for conservation, while about 70–77 acres are slated for active recreation funded through Volusia ECHO.
- Proposed Features:
Long and short motocross tracks, RV parking, regular parking, and event spaces.
- Funding Sources:
Paid for using taxpayer funds from the Volusia Forever (conservation) and Volusia ECHO (Environmental, Cultural, Historical, and Outdoor Recreation) programs, including a $3.5 million allocation from ECHO funds.
- Management Plan:
The county is pursuing a public-private partnership (P3) rather than running the track directly as a county department, utilizing consultants like Hunden Strategic Partners to evaluate operators.
The Volusia County Council unanimously approved the $4.62 million land purchase agreement on April 15, 2025. Voting with Dempsey were Vice Chair & District 2 member Matt Reinhart of Daytona Beach, District 3 member Danny Robins of Port Orange, District 4 member Troy Kent, District 5 member David Santiago of Deltona, At-Large member Jake Johansson of Port Orange, and County Council Chair Jeff Brower of DeLeon Springs.
Dempsey's election opponent Anderson was and is opposed to the motocross project. During public forums, she argued that the taxpayer-funded ECHO program had been exploited. She has insisted such funds should be strictly prioritized for groundwater protection, infrastructure, and green spaces rather than the motocross track.
Anderson has offered no alternative use for families and children seeking recreational outlets. Obviously had Anderson been on the dais she would have been outvoted 6-1. Then again, it was Dempsey who pitched it.
Anderson finished first in a three-way primary for the District 1 county seat but the turnout was abysmal with 27.43 voter turnout. She was first with 9,738 votes (47.5 percent), with Dempsey garnering 6,567 votes (32.08 percent, and Melissa D. Thorne with 4,166 votes (20.35 percent). Because nobody crossed the threshhold of 50 percent plus one more vote to win the seat outright, Anderson and Dempsey moved on to the general election where the turnout is expected to be much greater.
Anderson had a massive campaign war chest of $83,682.50 with funding mostly from politically-connected business insiders, but has spent nearly all of it, leaving her with $1,363.59. Dempsey, who self-funded 100 per4cent of his caMPAIGN, had $30,000 in campaign contributions, but spent $23,823.72, leaving him with $6,176.28 in the waning days of the election.
With these ongoing major pressing issues and previous success on the dais (including approval of the moto-cross complex), Headline Surfer wholeheartedly, and without reservation, endorses Don Dempsey for re-election to the District 1 seat on the Volusia County Council in the Nov. 3 elections.
Endorsed candidate Profile: Don Dempsey at a glance
Don Dempsey is the Headline Surfer endorsed candidate for Volusia Country District 1. Dempsey, 61, a defense attorney, has been practicing law in DeLand for over 36 years. He was a former assistant state attorney in Volusia County starting in 1990. He is married to Angela A. Dempsey, a Volusia County judge first elected in 2014. She sits on the bench in the Volusia County Courthouse in DeLand. The Dempseys have two children, Grayson, 13, a motocross competitor, and a younger daughter, Elizabeth, a barrel racer. Don has an adult son, Michael, a JetBlue captain, from a previous marriage.
Multimedia: Video endorsements for Don Dempsey from two distinguished public servants
YouTube download / Retired Chief Judge Jim Clayton endorses Don Dempsey for re-election to the Volusia County Council District 3 seat in the Nov. 3 elections. / Jim Clayton (Judge James R. Clayton) served as a judge in Florida's 7th Judicial Circuit Court
from 2003 until his retirement on April 1, 2024. Elected: 2002 (took office in January 2003); Re-elected: Unopposed in 2008, 2014 & 2020. Served as Chief Judge of the 7th Judicial Circuit from July 1, 2021, to June 30, 2023. Divisions Served: Juvenile, Felony & Probate/Guardianship.
YouTube download / Retired Volusia County Sheriff Ben Johnson (also a former at-large county councilman) endorses Don Dempsey for re-election to the Volusia County Council District 3 seat in the Nov. 3 elections. / Ben Johnson served as the Sheriff of Volusia County from Jan. 1, 2000, to Dec. 31, 2016 (four consecutive terms). Elected Sheriff in 2000; Re-elected: Unopposed or landslide victories in 2004, 2008 & 2012. Announced his retirement in January 2016 and left office in December 2016 after 16 years as sheriff (and over 40 years total with the law enforcement agency. Ben Johnson served as an at-large member of the Volusia County Council from January 2019 through Dec. 20, 2022 (after choosing not to run for re-election).
Previous Election-Related Coverage:
Volusia County Supervisor of Elections Lisa Lewis addresses sample ballot mailing delay / Published: Tue, 10/20/2026 - 08:02
Political Analyst Jean Jenner: GOP primary voters rebuked Congressman Cory Mills & by way of extension, Trump too / Published: Thu, 08/20/2026 - 22:07
Deltona Mayor Santiago Avila Jr. now lameduck having finished dead last in 3-way election primary / Published: Wed, 08/19/2026 - 05:20
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