County Council District 3: Danny Robins and Bryon White Meet in November

Southeast Volusia's County Council seat has become one of the county's most closely watched races, with incumbent Danny Robins facing challenger Bryon White in a contest shaped by growth, flooding and conservation.

This is part of The Volusia Voice's series profiling each County Council race. Each profile features every candidate in the race. The race is nonpartisan.

Danny Robins, incumbent

Robins is a former Daytona Beach police officer who owns Make Way Fishing Charters. He lives in unincorporated Port Orange and has served on the council since 2021. His listed priorities are public safety, conservation and outdoor access, and fiscal responsibility. Fundraising reported by The Ballot Brief totals about $123,300. In the primary, unofficial results showed him with 38.7%. He did not complete the candidate questionnaire in ClickOrlando's voter guide.

Robins has argued that a council member's power over development is limited and that many land use decisions belong to cities. On a proposed rural boundary written into the charter, he has said existing conservation lands already serve that purpose.

Bryon White, challenger

White is a former Volusia County beach safety captain with nearly 17 years in ocean rescue. He lives in New Smyrna Beach, founded the group Slow the Growth, and co-owns Yaupon Brothers American Tea Company. His priorities are slowing growth, protecting water and natural lands, and refusing developer money. He supports stronger conservation protections that require voter approval, and opposes data centers because of water and utility demands. Reported fundraising is about $26,156. He led the primary with 46.1% in unofficial results.

White and fellow challenger Anthony Gorham, who did not advance, argued that a council member can do more than Robins suggests.

A contentious campaign

The race has had sharp exchanges. In February, as reported by New Smyrna Beat, Robins called White an anti-development crusader, and White accused Robins of overstating his conservation record. Robins also skipped a January candidate forum hosted by Slow the Growth and held his own town hall that evening.

What District 3 covers

District 3 represents southeast Volusia County. Voters in that district will see this race on their ballot.

Where they agree

Both candidates back Volusia Forever, the county's conservation land program. Flooding after Hurricanes Ian and Milton has also been a central issue in the race.

How to vote

Early voting runs Oct. 19 to 31, from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. Election Day is Nov. 3. Finance totals and primary percentages are unofficial and change as filings come in.

The Volusia Voice will continue covering the race.