As part of our commitment to providing you with what you need to make an informed decision in the 2026 elections, News 6 joined with the News Collaborative of Central Florida to present the Voting Central Florida 2026 Voter’s Guide.
Tuesday, Aug. 18 is the Florida Statewide Primary election, a mix of party primaries and nonpartisan local elections, such as school board races, judicial races, and county commission races in some counties.
Recommended Videos
[ELECTION 2026: Make sure you’re eligible to vote|How to vote by mail|Election Myths]
Florida has a closed primary system, which means only members of a political party may vote in party primaries. To be eligible, a voter had to identify with that party by July 20.
However, judicial races and local races, for the most part, are open to all registered voters, regardless of political party.
Everything you need to know in order to vote in the Aug. 18 Statewide Primary, including how to vote by mail, vote early, and vote on Election Day, can be found in our Election 2026 section HERE.
Volusia County Council District 3
Volusia County Council members are elected in nonpartisan races, which means all voters can vote in the election, regardless of party affiliation.
Since there are three candidates in the race, the top vote-getter must get more than 50% of the vote (50%+1) in order to win outright. Otherwise, the top two candidates will go to a runoff in November.
The county council District 3 seat represents the southeast part of the county. You can see a map of all of the districts HERE.
The News Collaborative of Central Florida created a list of common questions to ask the candidates. Questionnaires were sent to all candidates.
Not all of the candidates responded. Where candidates did not respond, we have filled out the information to the best of our abilities.
News 6 compiled the candidate responses for Volusia County Council, emailing and calling the candidates over several weeks. Responses were edited for spelling and grammar, but otherwise left intact.
Anthony Gorham
WEBSITE: www.gorhamforsevolusia.com/
Mr. Gorham did not answer our questionnaire.
Danny Robins - Incumbent
WEBSITE: danny4volusia.com/
Mr. Robins did not answer our questionnaire.
Bryon White
WEBSITE: www.votebryonwhite.com/
Top issues in your race
If elected, what are the THREE most pressing problems you want to address, and what do you suggest to solve them? In the boxes below, please list each issue and how you will address them:
YOUR NUMBER 1 ISSUE and how you plan to address it: Responsible growth and land-use planning are my top priorities. I believe growth must pay for growth, and that new development should enhance—not diminish—the quality of life for existing residents. For too long, Florida has relied on a sprawling, extractive growth model that consumes farmland, wetlands, wildlife habitat, and open space while leaving taxpayers to bear the costs of new infrastructure and services. I support a more sustainable approach that encourages urban redevelopment, infill, Low-Impact Development, and the efficient use of existing infrastructure. I will work closely with our municipalities to establish a rural boundary that protects our remaining green spaces and directs growth to appropriate areas. I also support stronger oversight of mitigation credits and other regulatory loopholes that allow the destruction of wetlands and critical ecological corridors. We can grow our economy while protecting the natural resources that make Volusia County a special place to live.
YOUR NUMBER 2 ISSUE and how you plan to address it: Addressing flooding is one of the most important challenges facing Volusia County. During Hurricane Ian, more than 30,000 homes flooded, and our county is now recognized as one of the most flood-prone in the nation. We need a comprehensive approach that combines stronger stormwater management, improved drainage infrastructure, and better coordination with state and federal partners. We must also reform land-use policies to ensure new development does not worsen flooding conditions for existing residents. Growth should never come at the expense of public safety or private property. My goal is to make flood mitigation a countywide priority and ensure that future development is planned responsibly, with the long-term impacts on water, infrastructure, and neighborhoods fully considered.
YOUR NUMBER 3 ISSUE and how you plan to address it: Protecting conservation lands is one of my top priorities. Volusia County voters have twice approved the Volusia Forever program with the understanding that these environmentally sensitive lands would be preserved in perpetuity for future generations. I believe that commitment must be honored. I support strengthening protections for conservation lands and will champion a ballot measure requiring voter approval before any county-owned conservation land can be sold, transferred, or repurposed for another use. These lands belong to the public, and the public should have the final say over their future. Volusia’s natural resources are one of our greatest assets, and preserving them is essential to protecting our quality of life, water resources, wildlife habitat, and local economy. Forever should mean forever.
FOR INCUMBENTS: Why do you deserved to be re-elected in this race? FOR CHALLENGERS AND OPEN SEATS: Why do you deserve to elected in this race? Development interests and wealthy special interests have gained too much influence in local government through campaign contributions. That is why I have pledged to accept zero campaign contributions from development interests. My loyalty is to the residents of Volusia County, not the people seeking to profit from its growth. I have spent my career serving this community—as a public safety professional, entrepreneur, farmer, and conservation advocate—and I have the experience to help lead Volusia County through the challenges ahead. My platform is practical, achievable, and rooted in what residents consistently ask for: smarter land-use decisions, meaningful flood mitigation, protection of our natural resources, and growth that pays for itself rather than shifting costs onto taxpayers. Volusia County doesn’t need more promises. It needs leadership willing to put residents ahead of special interests and ensure that growth pays its own way.
According to a University of North Florida poll, Floridians say affordability is their top issue. What are your solutions for dealing with Florida’s affordability issue? Florida’s affordability crisis cannot be solved by paving over more farmland and natural areas. More sprawl has not made housing affordable, and in many cases it has increased the long-term costs borne by taxpayers through roads, utilities, stormwater infrastructure, and public services. We need a more balanced approach that expands housing options where infrastructure already exists, encourages redevelopment and infill, and ensures that growth pays for growth. I support working with municipalities to identify appropriate locations for workforce housing, reducing unnecessary barriers to redevelopment, and investing in transportation and infrastructure that lower household costs. Just as importantly, we must protect residents from rising property taxes, flooding, insurance costs, and utility expenses, which have become major drivers of the affordability crisis. Affordability is not just about the cost of housing—it is about the total cost of living in Volusia County.
Will you vote YES or NO on the constitutional amendment to slash property taxes and explain your position. How would you replace lost revenue – fees and/or service reductions? I oppose this amendment because I believe it is a tax shift, not a tax reduction. While I agree that Floridians need relief from rising housing costs, insurance premiums, and property taxes, this proposal would remove a significant source of local government funding without identifying a sustainable replacement. In Volusia County alone, the estimated impact is approximately $92 million per year. The reality is that local governments cannot simply eliminate services at that scale. The costs would likely be shifted elsewhere through higher fees, increased sales taxes, special assessments, reduced services, or other revenue sources. Renters and residents who do not qualify for homestead exemptions could end up bearing a larger share of the burden while receiving fewer services. I support meaningful tax reform, but it should provide real relief rather than shifting costs from one group of residents to another. I am confident that state and local leaders can work together to develop solutions that improve affordability, protect essential services, and ensure that any tax relief is fair, sustainable, and transparent.
Utility costs are rising for customers in Florida, and the proliferation of data centers is expected to exacerbate that issue. How should Florida’s utility regulators respond? I oppose the construction of data centers in their current form because of the enormous demands they place on water supplies and electrical infrastructure. At a time when residents are already facing rising utility costs and increasing pressure on our natural resources, it makes little sense to approve facilities that consume massive amounts of water and electricity while providing relatively few permanent jobs. I have supported efforts to prohibit new data center development until the technology and operating models improve to the point that these facilities can operate without placing an unreasonable burden on local communities. Volusia County’s water resources, environmental health, and utility capacity should be reserved first and foremost for residents and businesses that directly contribute to our local quality of life and economy. Economic development is important, but it must be compatible with responsible stewardship of our natural resources.
What do you think is the biggest environmental issue your government should address in Florida? Flooding is the most urgent environmental challenge facing Volusia County. During Hurricane Ian, more than 30,000 homes flooded, and many residents continue to experience flooding from routine storms and rising groundwater. While extreme weather plays a role, decades of wetland loss, sprawling development patterns, and inadequate stormwater infrastructure have made the problem worse. Addressing flooding requires a comprehensive approach that includes stronger land-use policies, better protection of wetlands and natural floodplains, investment in stormwater infrastructure, and closer coordination with municipalities and state agencies. We must ensure that new development does not increase flood risks for existing residents. Protecting people, property, water quality, and our economy starts with making flood mitigation a top county priority. Growth must pay for growth, and growth that increases flooding is growth we cannot afford.