Headline Surfer Endorsement: Chicago Cubs are winners and so is Volusia County Appraiser candidate H. Alan Burton

DAYTONA BEACH, Fla. -- Weeks before the Chicago Cubs won the World Series in a thrilling game 7 come-from-behind win over the Cleveland Indians, H. Alan Burton attended the Headline Surfer Public Candidate Debates wearing a Cubs shirt.

Talk about loyalty and confidence. After all, in addition to three debates among the six candidates for three county council seats, Burton was invited in advance, along with several others from the Aug. 30 primaries to appear in front of the Headline Surfer video camera and answer some questions about their candidacies. And the camer doesn't lie.

Had the Cubs lost the World Series, Burton, a Chicago native, might have had to rely on the pity vote. But alas, the Chicago Cubs won the World Series, ending a 108-year drought, and that is a good omen for the 64-year-old Ormond Beach resident, whose professional experience in appraisals, his bubbling personality and his unwavering commitment to his profession are second-to-none in the race for Volusia County Appraiser.

With that said, Headline Surfer endorses H. Alan Burton Burton for Volusia County Appraiser in the Nov. 8 general Elections. But if what has been presented here is not enough, consider as well these additional factors as to why Burton a Republican, is far more deserving of the office of Volusia County Appraiser in the non-partisan election race over his opponent, Laurence H. Bartlett, a Democrat, where neither is an incumbent:

• Burton is the only "licensed" property appraiser running for this position.

• Burton is far more experienced as an executive administrator with more than 20 years under his belt.

• Burton would uphold the Florida Constitution by supporting the "fair and just values" for all taxpayers. 

• Burton won the three-way primary, with 29,692 votes or 36.23 percent over Bartlett who had 28,559 votes or 38.85 percent. Finishing third and out of the running was Mike Swanto with 23,705 votes or 28.92 percent of the votes. Whenever three or more candidates quality to run for public office, they appear on the ballot in a primary. Should one of the candidates receive at least 50 percent of the overall votes, plus one additional vote, they he or she not only wins the primary, but the office outright. When none of the candidates has met that threshold, then the primary's top two vote getters square off in the general election, which is the case here with Burton winning the primary over Bartlett, but short of the threshold to take the post outright.

Consider the money factor as well: Alan Burton beat Bartlett in the primary, even though Bartlett's campaign war chest is more than four times as much as Burton's.

Bartlett has amassed a whopping $129,194.64 to Burton's $33,872.96. That's proof positive that despite being outspent by a huge margin, it was Burton who prevailed over Bartlett in the primary. This media outlet believes Burton will do it again in the general election, which is why Headline Surfer endorses H. Alan Burton for Volusia County property Appraiser.

Consider the money factor as well: Alan Burton beat Laurence Bartlett in the primary, even though Bartlett's campaign war chest is more than four times as much as Burton's.

Bartlett has amassed a whopping $129,194.64 to Burton's $33,872.96. That's proof positive that despite being outspent by a huge margin, it was Burton who prevailed over Bartlett in the primary. This media outlet believes Burton will do it again in the general election, which is why Headline Surfer endorses H. Alan Burton for Volusia County property Appraiser.

About the Endorsed candidate, H. Alan Burton: