By HENRY FREDERICK / Headline Surfer
PORT ORANGE, Fla. -- Jake Johansson, former Port Orange city manager and at-large member of the Volusia County Council won the District 8 seat in the Florida State Senate over two other candidates with more than half the votes cast in the Nov. 3 elections.
Johansson (R) of Port Orange, defeated Judy Ngying (D), 29, a school teacher from Deltona, and Gabriel Jude Wozniak (L), 31, of Daytona Beach, in the general election with 124,762 votes (55.5%). Ngying received 95,981 (42.7%) and Wozniak finished a distant third with 3,921 votes (1.7%).
Johansson, 63, the former Port Orange city manager for five years until 2020, was elected two years later to the Volusia County Council as the At-Large member for one four-year term, resigning after winning the senate seat.
Johansson, who spent 35 years in the United States Navy, rising to rank of captain, earned his Master of Public Administration (MPA), Public Administration from Strome College of Business on the campus of Old Dominion University in Norfolk, Va. Before that he earned his Bachelor of Applied Science in Management from Troy University.
Johnansson succeeds Sen. Tom Wright, R-New Smyrna Beach, who is term-limited after eight years.
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 the northern section of Brevard County.
Johansson, married with three sons, was ecstatic with his big win Tuesday: "Thank You, District 8! I am truly humbled and honored to have been elected as your next Florida State Senator. To my family, friends, volunteers, supporters, and everyone who cast a vote of confidence in me—thank you! Your encouragement, hard work, and belief in our vision made this possible."
Johansson also recognized his opponents: "To Judy Ngying and Gabe Wozniak- more than anything I appreciate the clean race. It is a testament to your character and moral values."
And to the voters, Johansson said: "Whether you voted for me or not, I am committed to representing you with integrity, humility, and purpose. This victory belongs to all of us. Thank you for this incredible opportunity!"
And with his victory in Tuesday's election, Johansson repeated his election edict: "Action, Not Rhetoric. Leadership That Delivers."
Jake Johansson was ecstatic with his big win Tuesday: "Thank You, District 8! I am truly humbled and honored to have been elected as your next Florida State Senator. To my family, friends, volunteers, supporters, and everyone who cast a vote of confidence in me—thank you! Your encouragement, hard work, and belief in our vision made this possible."
Johansson also recognized his opponents: "To Judy Ngying and Gabe Wozniak- more than anything I appreciate the clean race. It is a testament to your character and moral values."
And to the voters, Johansson said: "Whether you voted for me or not, I am committed to representing you with integrity, humility, and purpose. This victory belongs to all of us. Thank you for this incredible opportunity!"
Johansson Endorsements:
Jake Johansson was endorsed by Headline Surfer, as well as Americans for Prosperity, Associated Industries of Florida, Florida Chamber of Commerce, Florida Realtors PAC, Florida Republican Senatorial Campaign Committee, Florida PBA, Brevard County Sheriff Wayne Ivey, and his Senate predecessor Tom Wright.
Now You Know:
Florida state senators receive a an annual base salary of $29,697.
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