Daytona Beach, FL - A candidate for Volusia County Council is dropping out of the race, citing health concerns.
In a Facebook post published on Saturday (April 16), Paul Zimmerman, once a candidate for the District 2 seat on the Volusia County Council, announced he was withdrawing from the race due to health concerns.
“As the result of an unexpected outcome of a doctor's visit this week, and subsequent medical findings, my health will not allow me to continue in the race,” wrote Zimmerman. “My disappointment is not only personal but also knowing how hard Trish, my campaign manager, and the wonderful team of volunteers who have worked to gather qualifying petitions and who have campaigned for me knocking on countless doors across District 2.”
Zimmerman, president of the Sons of the Beach organization—which advocates for beach driving and access—is the second candidate to drop out of the District 2 race. Current Port Orange City Councilman Chase Tramont had plans to run for District 2, but instead placed his sights on a seat in Tallahassee instead.
Now fighting for the seat is Matt Reinhart, the former warden of the Volusia County Division of Corrections, and Danny Fuqua, a retired U.S. Army veteran and co-pastor of Word and Praise Family Church in Daytona Beach.
Current District 2 Representative Billie Wheeler announced she would not seek reelection for the seat. Fuqua faced off against Wheeler once before in 2020 for the same spot and lost.
