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ORMOND BEACH -- With a victory in today's general elections, Carl Persis could finally emerge from the shadow of Frank Bruno and become the new face of Volusia County government.
Only one man stands between Persis and that eight-year wait for the non-partisan county chairmanship: Jason Davis. The registered Republican was the forgotten candidate from the moment qualifying ended and print media had its camera on power attorney Ted Doran.
Davis faced further humiliation when the Daytona Beach News-Journal teamed up with the Tiger Bay Club to host a debate and Davis was excluded. But Davis persevered.
With only $4,000 in campaign finances, he finished second in the primary to Persis. Doran, despite spending close to $200,000 of his own money, finished last and out of the running.
So here we are on Election Day. While Davis, the Gulf War vet, has maintained his "boots to the ground" approach to campaigning, Persis is just too strong in name recognition. Perhaps the voters will surprise us, but we don't think so.
Persis, although, a registered Democrat, is recognized as fiscally conservative. He has that can-do attitude, pays attention to details and keeps his word.
Headline Surfer understands and can appreciate the frustration Persis might have felt at times being in the shadow of the term-limited Bruno, whose final day in office was Monday.
Persis' situation is much better than that of the Democrat Bruno, who is in the fight of his political life against Republican Dorothy Hukill for the dist. 8 seat in the Florida Senate.
Should Davis fall short, there will be another opportunity to put the boots to the ground as he's certainly proven to be a worthy opponent after all. But after eight years, this is Persis' time to shine.
Headline Surfer gives the full breath of its endorsement to Carl Persis for Volusia County Chair.