- January 18, 2025
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Commissioner-elect Lori Tolland, Commissioner-elect Travis Sargent, Mayor Bill Partington, Commissioner Susan Persis and Commissioner-elect Harold Briley. Photo by Jarleene Almenas
Jake Johansson campaigns at the Cypress Head clubhouse polling location in Port Orange on Tuesday, Nov. 8. Photo by Jarleene Almenas
Ken Smith campaigns outside the Ormond Beach Regional Public Library on Tuesday, Nov. 8. Photo by Jarleene Almenas
Troy Kent campaigns at Champion Elementary on Tuesday, Nov. 8. Photo by Jarleene Almenas
Rob Bridger campaigns for Ormond Beach mayor. Courtesy photo
Brian Nave rides his campaign-O-cycle to each polling location on Tuesday, Nov. 8. Photo by Jarleene Almenas
Courtney Williams and Mayor Bill Partington stand outside the polling location at Providence Church on Tuesday, Nov. 8. Photo by Jarleene Almenas
Doug Pettit campaigns outside Spruce Creek High School on Tuesday, Nov. 8. Photo by Jarleene Almenas
Harold Briley campaigns outside Tomoka Christian Church on Tuesday, Nov. 8. Photo by Jarleene Almenas
Commissioner-elect Lori Tolland, Commissioner-elect Travis Sargent, Mayor Bill Partington, Commissioner Susan Persis and Commissioner-elect Harold Briley celebrate their wins at Lulu's Oceanside Grill. Photo by Jarleene Almenas
Heather and Troy Kent are all smiles during his watch party at The Grind on Tuesday, Nov. 8. Photo by Jarleene Almenas
Ormond Beach Mayor Bill Partington has won his fourth term as mayor, having earned 55.8% of the vote on Election Day, Nov. 8.
The city is in good shape, and he's excited to move forward with a new commission — one that will have three new faces, the most significant turnover on the commission in recent years. With the community finally moving on from the COVID-19 pandemic, Partington said it's time to focus on the residents and get to work, with fresh new ideas.
For Partington, the election results confirmed the city is on the right track, but he acknowledged challenges lay ahead.
"I look forward with working with these new folks as we continue to shape Ormond Beach into the wonderful city we all know it is," Partington said.
Partington ran against Rob Bridger, who earned 44.2% of the vote.
Joining Partington on the Ormond Beach City Commission will be Harold Briley.
A real estate agent with Adams Cameron and Co. Realtors, Briley has been involved at the city level for almost 35 years, 21 of which have been as a member of the Ormond Beach Planning Board. He won with 64.43% of the vote; his opponent, Brian Nave, earned 35.57% of the vote.
For Briley, who had previously run to represent Zone 4 on the City Commission in 2016, the second time was the charm.
"It feels fantastic," he said. "And I want first of all to thank all the people of Zone 4, the residents who voted for me. I want to thank my supporters, family. I think the city is in great shape. We love our city. I love our city, and we want great things moving forward.
He said he is open to new ideas on the commission and is mindful that residents are concerned about surrounding developments, and the potential impacts it has on Ormond Beach. Briley said he wishes to mitigate that as best he can. He's excited to get started, he said.
Former Zone 2 City Commissioner Troy Kent said that when he first was elected to the Ormond Beach City Commission 19 years ago, he didn't have a plan beyond knowing he wanted to serve longterm. He wanted to have an impact on the city.
And he realized 18 months ago that he felt like he had accomplished that. He listed the city's 75-foot height limit for buildings on the beachside, free fishing tournaments for kids, establishing the monthly Movies on the Halifax event, getting reuse water to some of the oldest neighborhoods on the beachside — something he said took a decade to accomplish.
"I'm so glad that my fingerprints are on all of those items in Ormond Beach," Kent said. "And I knew that it was time to make a change to be more impactful, and I'm so pleased that I'm gonna get that opportunity with Volusia County.
Kent won the District 4 seat with 55.35% of the vote. His opponent, Ken Smith, earned 44.65% of the vote.
Now that he's been elected, Kent said he's looking forward to help with improving infrastructure at LPGA Boulevard, and Tymber Creek Road and Airport Road. He is also ready to take on the challenge of making driving on the beach free for residents, and upping the utilization of the Ocean Center in Daytona Beach.
The County Council is missing leadership, said Jake Johansson, who hopes to help fill that need on the council. Johansson won the At-Large seat on the council with 58.7% of the vote. His opponent, Doug Pettit, earned 41.3% of the vote.
Johansson, former manager for the city of Port Orange, said one of his goals for his time on the council is to get people to work together — council members, state representatives, citizens and all of Volusia's 16 municipalities.
"There's no one person that's smarter than the other in this county," Johansson said. "We all need to work together, and that's what I aim to do."
He looks forward to helping to get council members to open up their minds and listen to "alternative, diverse thought."
"I think if we can crack that nut, all other things will be attainable," he said. "All issues will be resolvable, but if we stick our heels in and we go, 'It's my way, or the highway' — there's going to be winners and losers, and I don't think it has to be that way."
