- January 7, 2025
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Volusia County Councilman Jake Johansson has announced he is running for the Florida Senate.
On Dec. 2, Johansson, who is the at-large representative on the council, filed to run to represent District 8 on the Senate — a seat currently occupied by Sen. Tom Wright, who will end his second and final term in that office in 2026. Johansson, a former Port Orange city manager and retired U.S. Navy captain, was elected to the County Council in 2022 and will not be seeking reelection.
"I have been in public service my whole life," Johansson said. "I love my country, I love my state, I love my county, and I love my city, and this is just another way to serve. There are people out there that have told me that Tallahassee is where I can best utilize my talents."
During his five years as Port Orange's city manager, Johansson said he worked closely with the late Sen. Dorothy Hukill and Wright, whom she was succeeded by. He said he is passionate about public safety, education and workforce development, all issues he believes he can make a bigger impact in at the state level.
"I think that my education, my demeanor, my ethical values and my ability to hear all sides of an issue before making a decision make me a great candidate for the Senate," he said.
The election is a little less than two years away, but Johansson said he decided to file and formally announce his intention to run because theres' already a Volusia candidate in the race: former Florida Rep. Elizabeth Fetterhoff, of DeLand.
Fetterhoff filed to run on Nov. 19. She previously served in the U.S. Army National Guard and represented District 26 in the Florida House from 2018 to 2022. After redistricting, she lost her race against Webster Barnaby to represent District 29.
The Observer reached out to Fetterhoff for comment but did not hear back in time for publication.
Senate District 8 includes most of Volusia County — including a portion of Ormond Beach west of Nova Road and south of State Road 40 — as well as northern section of Brevard County.
