NEW SMYRNA BEACH -- There are 13 days left in this election and much is at stake in races across Volusia County, throughout the Sunshine State and at the federal level, with the biggest prize of all, who the next president of the United States will be. With early voting starting Saturday, it is our goal to publish our endorsement of either Barack Obama or Mitt Romney as the next president and commander in chief in the next 72 hours, if not sooner.
From what I have been told by representatives of both parties, we are the only media outlet in Volusia County issuing endorsements in the 2012 elections. As publisher of this 24/7 Internet newspaper, I believe it is my duty, and indeed an honor, to make the case for which candidates in all of the races are most deserving of your vote.
The endorsement of either Obama or Romney will be published within 72 hours, if not sooner.
So far, we have endorsed Volusia County Sheriff Ben Johnson for re-election. Today, we are officially endorsing Republican Diane Matousek for Clerk of the Circuit Court and Christopher Kelly in the non-partisan race for county judge. Those endorsements will be published with their own headlines.
We will also announce in a published story later today our endorsement of either Jason Davis or Carl Persis for county chair.
Endorsements in four other county council seats will follow over the next several days. Endorsements for other federal and state races will follow those. Municipal races led by our endorsement of either Derrick Henry or Edith Shelley for mayor of Daytona Beach will come after our choices in the federal, state and county races are completed.
Our endorsements are not predicated on who we think will win or lose. Ultimately, that is your decision. No matter which way we go, Republican, Democrat or other, we know will be unhappiness with some of our selections. And with that elasticity, we can accept whatever criticisms or praises come our way. In some races, where we feel both candidates are worthy, we will not choose one over the other. Instead, we will highlight strengths and weaknesses.
Having moderated 15 public candidate debates over the course of the primary and general election season, as well as having covered countless campaign events, we are privileged to share our endorsements with you.
If you are registered to vote, please exercise that right.