Photos for Headline Surfer / Republican Michael Cantu, candidate for State Rep. District 26, shown here with his elegant wife, Stacie, has the endorsement of HeadlineSurfer.com in the Nov. 8 general elections.
DAYTONA BEACH, Fla. -- At 63, and having spent much of his adult life helping his wife, Stacie, raised their five children while holding down a variety of demanding jobs over the years, Michael Cantu, a true conservative Republican with strong Judeo-Christian values, and a BA in Political Science from the University of Central Florida, feels the time is right for him to give back to his community by representing local interests in Tallahassee.
Where Cantu can give hard-working families land seniors a voice in holding down taxes by streamlining government and fighting for clean air and water, road projects and better schools.
Headline Surfer sees how hard Cantu has worked throughout this election cycle in listening to the concerns of the voters on both sides of the political aisle and as such has earned this media outlet's endorsement, prompting Cantu to say he was "humbled and honored" to receive it.
Besides the backing of Headline Surfer, Cantu has earned endorsements from Congressman Ron DeSantis, State Sen. Dorothy Hukill, State Rep. Fred Costello, retired US Ambassador Stan Escudero, Volusia County Deputies Association, Blak PAC, Florida Right to Life PAC, Florida Medical Association, Volusia Building Industry Association, Community Activist & Sister In Christ Patricia Heard, former Deltona City Commissioner Webster Barnaby, retired school teacher Casandra Baker and West Volusia Realtors Association.
Consider Cantu's stand on issues:
* Economy: "The success of small and medium-sized businesses have historically had the greatest impact on any economy and been key to job growth!"
* Taxes and Spending: "The more you tax a People, the less money they have to spend."
* Government Overreach: "Getting government out of the way is key to truly having a free society where people have the opportunity to innovate, enjoy life, and the fruits of their labor in their pursuit of happiness."
* Local Control of Education: "Local and parental control of education is necessary for there to be a cultured and highly learned society."
Photos for Headline Surfer / Shown here at far left is Daytona Beach City Commissioner Patrick Henry, who is Michael Cantu's opponent in the race for the District 26 Statehouse seat.Cantu's opponent in the Nov. 8 general elections is Democrat Patrick Henry of Daytona Beach, whose eight-year run on the city commission there ends after the election.
But Cantu is a tenacious campaigner, who is no stranger to hard work. Over the course of his lifetime, he has worked as a dishwasher, cook, carpenter, roofer, brick mason, substitute teacher and factory worker.
Born in Columbus, Ga., Cantu moved to Florida in 1980. The oldest of four boys, he found his niche in the field of music and entertainment. During the '70s, '80s and early '90s, Cantu toured all over the East Coast and Midwest, opening shows for front-line artists like Foghat, Charlie Daniels, Keith Urban and Toby Keith.
Cantu and his wife, Stacy, are small business owners in Daytona Beach. With their lives grounded in traditional family values and conservative principles, the Cantus are members of the Shiloh Baptist Church and active in the community.
Their five children were all raised in Daytona Beach and attended Atlantic High School. Michael Jr. is a physical trainer in New York, Cody served in the 82nd Airborne and is a veteran of the Iraq war. Donald is a Deputy for the Volusia County Sheriff’s Department. Brittney is a caregiver in the health care industry. Megan is a manager for a local drug store and attending college for elementary education. The Cantus also have seven grandchildren.
Michael Cantu and his wife, Stacy, are small business owners in Daytona Beach. With their lives grounded in traditional family values and conservative principles, the Cantus are members of the Shiloh Baptist Church and active in the community.
Their five children were all raised in Daytona Beach and attended Atlantic High School. Michael Jr. is a physical trainer in New York, Cody served in the 82nd Airborne and is a veteran of the Iraq war. Donald is a Deputy for the Volusia County Sheriff’s Department. Brittney is a caregiver in the health care industry. Megan is a manager for a local drug store and attending college for elementary education. The Cantus also have seven grandchildren.
The 26th district is within Volusia County, but covers a vast territory that includes South Daytona and DeLand as well as parts of Daytona Beach, Ormond Beach and Orange City. The part-time state rep. post pays $29,867.
This is Cantu's second run for the district 26 seat, having come up short in 2014, against incumbent Dwayne Taylor, and getting a late start in campaigning in that election cycle, didn't help his cause.
And while Taylor is barred from running for the seat this time around because of term limits, Cantu's path to the Statehouse is no less easy this time around with Patrick Henry, a formidable candidate, who is well financed with $60,000 in campaign contributions to Cantu's $10,000. However, Henry had to get by a primary and Cantu didn't, which caused the Democrat to burn off some of that cash.
Multimedia: Vocals of Michael Cantu
Ecclesiastes 3:1-8 with Kapp Pierce, Blaine Randall and Michael Cantu at United Presbyterian Church.