Holly Hill, FL - In a press conference held on Tuesday, each former candidate for the County Council District 4 seat publicly endorsed local businessman Al Smith in the November runoff against Heather Post.
The November runoff is needed because no one got the majority needed to win outright. The runoff will pit the top two candidates against each other, and in the August 30 primary Heather Post came out on top with 42.51% of the vote, and Al Smith came in second with 27.51%.
Addressing a group of made up of family, supporters, and members of the press at Sunrise Park in Holly Hill, Smith said, "I'm honored to know that all 3 of my former opponents in District 4 see me as the best option remaining after the August primary." He went on to say, "I pledge to work with each of them to offer a united approach to fixing county government."
Roy Johnson, the former mayor of Holly Hill who got 10.56% of the primary vote, said "This race is now down to 2 very different individuals. Only Al Smith brings real-life business experience. He's spent his life in District 4 and knows the ills that face Volusia County. I'm voting for Al in November and asking all of my supporters to do the same."
Linda Smiley spoke on behalf of Linda Bourquin-McIntyre, who got 9.98% of the vote, and addressed the crowd with a message from the candidate. "Al Smith has been part of this community since birth and has a lengthy background as a community leader and local businessman," she said. "While we have had our differences on some issues, I know he will at least listen and respond to my concerns in a forthright and honest manner. Unfortunately I cannot say the same for his opponent, as she has proven time and time again she lacks specifics on issues and offers only vague responses to virtually all questions she is asked. Al knows the history and what is special about our community and is the only choice going forward."
Roland Via, also a former Holly Hill Mayor, got 9.44% of the primary vote. He had this to say at the press conference: "I've known and worked with Al for many years. Even when we don't agree 100%, I know we can each count on Al to listen and make an informed decision. He has varied government experience and his opponent has no real working knowledge of government and offers zero viable solutions while speaking in nothing more than platitudes. That won't get the job done or make Volusia County a better place to live, work and play."
District 4 includes all of Holly Hill and Ormond Beach, along with portions of Daytona Beach and DeLeon Springs.
The election is November 8. Smith is a former employee of WNDB.
Copyright Southern Stone Communications 2016.
