Drew Wilson
A Democrat has filed to run for the House District 27 seat being vacated by Republican Rep. David Santiago, according to Florida Division of Elections records.
Robert Mann filed for the seat May 2 and is currently the only Democrat running for the Volusia County seat. Mann works as an electrical engineer at the Kennedy Space Center and is an Army veteran.
In addition to his career as an engineer, Mann is a commissioner on the West Volusia Hospital Authority, a special tax district created by the Legislature to improve access to health care for the area’s poverty stricken.
In an interview with the Daytona Beach News-Journal, Mann said he would focus on increasing training funds for high-tech manufacturing jobs and improving conditions for those living in poverty.
HD 27 is a Republican-leaning seat and Mann faces long odds against a GOP opponent, whether it be former Deltona City Commissioner Zenaida Denizac or attorney William McBride.
McBride currently leads in fundraising after bringing in $259,000 in his first month, the bulk of it coming from loans to his campaign. Denizac, through three months, has about $1,200 in her campaign account.
Also running is no-party affiliation candidate Randi Doan, who has not yet reported any contributions.
