Jeff Brower Explained

Jeff Brower
Office:Chairman of the Volusia County Council
Term Start:January 7, 2021
Predecessor:Ed Kelley
Birth Name:Jeffrey Scott Brower
Birth Date:16 November 1955
Birth Place:Pennsylvania, U.S.
Party:Republican
Children:9
Education:University of Florida (BS)

Jeffrey Scott Brower[1] (born November 16, 1955) is an American politician and farmer who currently serves as Volusia County chairman.[2] Brower was appointed leader of the SunRail board in April 2024 and has served on the Central Florida Commuter Rail Commission since 2021.[3] [4]

In November 2024, Brower ignited a feud with Sheriff Mike Chitwood, insulting the sheriff and endorsing his opponent, who had a criminal record. Sheriff Chitwood condemned Brower's actions and criticized his lack of support for law enforcement while in office.[5]

Early life and education

Brower was born on November 16, 1955, in Pennsylvania. His family moved to Daytona Beach, Florida when he was 3-years-old. He received a Bachelor of Agriculture from the University of Florida.

Professional career

Brower worked for the Daytona Beach Patrol as a lifeguard from 1970 to 1979. After college, he first worked for a plant nursery, then a marketing agency, and finally worked for six years as a recruiter for a pest control and fertilization business. He left the company to become a full-time farmer in 2000. He established a small landscaping company in 2004.

Political career

Before running for office, Brower volunteered as an associate supervisor for the Volusia Soil & Water Conservation District. In 2018, Brower was defeated in the Volusia County Council 1st district primary election.[6] In 2020, Brower was elected county-wide as Volusia County chair with 56% of the vote, defeating Volusia County councilwoman Deb Denys.[7] While in office, Brower has voted to protect sex offenders from stricter living requirements.[8] He has also voted for stronger environmental regulations to stop climate change.[9] [10] [11]

In March 2022, Brower endorsed State Representative Anthony Sabatini in the 2022 Florida's 7th congressional district Republican primary.[12] Sabatini lost the primary to Army combat veteran Cory Mills, who went on to win the general election.[13] [14]

In early 2024, Brower and county council vice chair Troy Kent received negative public and media attention for opposing the construction of a much-needed fuel terminal in Ormond Beach. The remaining county council members approved the project and a moratorium vote failed by a 5-2 margin.[15] [16]

Brower ran for re-election in the 2024 Volusia County chair election.[17] He was challenged by Port Orange mayor Don Burnette; auto dealer Randy Dye, the father of stock car racer Daniel Dye; and former county councilwoman Deb Denys.[18] Denys and Burnette were eliminated in the August primary, and Brower went on to narrowly win re-election with 51.4% of the vote in the November runoff against Dye.[19] The Volusia County Republican Party voted to endorse Dye in the election.[20] [21]

Controversies

In July 2022, Brower allegedly violated county building code by failing to obtain a permit for a newly constructed roof on his home.[22]

In August 2022, Brower accused the Volusia County Republican Party of poisoning his family dog.[23]

In June 2023, Brower delivered a speech urging Volusia County residents to "turn back to God" and save America from "satanic Marxists."[24]

In October 2023, Brower voted against stricter living requirements for sexual offenders and predators in Volusia County.[25]

In October 2024, Brower was criticized for his perceived failure to address the mass flooding and $267 million in damage incurred in Volusia County from Hurricane Milton.[26] [27]

Personal life

Brower is Protestant. He moved to DeLeon Springs in 1980. He married his wife Terri in 1985. They have 9 children, four boys and five girls.[28]

Notes and References

  1. Web site: 2022-06-20 . Jeff Brower VCC . 2024-12-03 . volusia.org . en.
  2. Web site: Harrison . Casmira . Brower's big Volusia County chair win suggests "status quo" isn't acceptable . 2024-05-13 . Daytona Beach News-Journal Online . en-US.
  3. Web site: Gardner . Sheldon . SunRail board's new leader is Volusia County Council chairman . 2024-05-13 . Daytona Beach News-Journal Online . en-US.
  4. Web site: Solodev . 2024-03-06 . Jeff Brower Elected Chair of Central Florida Commuter Rail Commission . 2024-05-13 . www.volusia.org . en.
  5. Web site: Gardner . Sheldon . 2024-11-01 . Brower unscripted: County chair ignites feud with sheriff days before election in video . 2024-12-01 . Daytona Beach News-Journal Online . en.
  6. Web site: Reporting Group (Election/Committees) . Volusia County Supervisor of Elections . 2024-08-18.
  7. Web site: Volusia County's New Chairman: I'm Bringing Fresh Eyes to it . 2024-05-13 . mynews13.com . en.
  8. Web site: Gardner . Sheldon . 2023-10-18 . Volusia County Council votes 5-2 to advance stricter rules for sexual predators, offenders . 2024-12-03 . Daytona Beach News-Journal Online . en.
  9. Web site: Almenas . Jarleene . 2024-09-03 . Vote to disband Volusia County environmental board fails due to a tie . 2024-12-03 . Observer Local News . en.
  10. Web site: Gardner . Sheldon . 2023-02-28 . 'Sounding an alarm': Volusia County Chair Jeff Brower urges focus on water quality . 2024-12-03 . Daytona Beach News-Journal Online . en.
  11. Web site: Zaffiro-Kean . Eileen . 2022-08-05 . Volusia County Council explodes in anger over environmental meeting . Daytona Beach News-Journal Online . en.
  12. Web site: 2022-03-01 . High Frequency: Bedfellows . 2024-12-04 . Beacon Online News . en.
  13. Web site: Harper . Mark . 2022-08-23 . Winning warriors: Cory Mills, Michael Waltz advance in congressional election campaigns . 2024-12-04 . Daytona Beach News-Journal Online . en.
  14. Web site: 2022-11-08 . Florida Seventh Congressional District Election Results . 2024-12-04 . . en.
  15. Web site: Gardner . Sheldon . County Council shifts gears, rejects development moratorium paving way for fuel terminal . 2024-05-14 . Daytona Beach News-Journal Online . en-US.
  16. Web site: Reed . Molly . 2024-02-06 . Volusia County Council rejects heavy industrial moratorium, will process fuel farm site plans . 2024-05-14 . WKMG . en.
  17. Web site: Staff . A. O. L. . 2023-07-08 . Update: Brower files papers for re-election, says he's 'taking the gloves off now' . 2024-05-13 . www.aol.com . en-US.
  18. News: May 4, 2023 . Businessman Randy Dye joins two others in a run for Volusia County Council Chair . Daytona Beach News Journal . (Florida).
  19. Web site: Zizo . Christie . Jeff Brower wins reelection for Volusia County Council Chair seat . 2024-12-02 . clickorlando.com . en-US.
  20. Web site: Gardner . Sheldon . Outspent and out-endorsed, Jeff Brower wins race for Volusia County Council chairman . 2024-11-09 . Daytona Beach News-Journal Online . en-US.
  21. Web site: Harper . Mark . 2024-09-19 . Volusia County Republican Executive Committee backs Randy Dye for county chair . 2024-12-03 . Daytona Beach News-Journal Online . en.
  22. Web site: 2023-07-25 . Complaint: County chair violated building code . 2024-12-03 . Beacon Online News . en.
  23. Web site: Harper . Mark . 2022-09-09 . Volusia Chair Jeff Brower says his family dog was poisoned; a political ally blames REC . 2024-12-03 . Daytona Beach News-Journal Online . en.
  24. Web site: Harper . Mark . 2024-08-17 . Volusia County chair after June 2023 Trump indictment: Turn to God 'before blood is shed' . 2024-12-03 . Daytona Beach News-Journal Online . en.
  25. Web site: Gardner . Sheldon . 2023-10-18 . Volusia County Council votes 5-2 to advance stricter rules for sexual predators, offenders . 2024-12-03 . Daytona Beach News-Journal Online . en.
  26. Web site: Gardner . Sheldon . 2024-10-16 . Milton damages at $267M in Volusia; residents call for action on flooding . 2024-12-03 . Daytona Beach News-Journal Online . en.
  27. Web site: Clayton . James . 2024-10-30 . Brower hasn’t shown effective leadership . 2024-12-03 . Beacon Online News . en.
  28. Web site: Harrison . Casmira . Brower's big Volusia County chair win suggests "status quo" isn't acceptable . 2024-05-13 . Daytona Beach News-Journal Online . en-US.

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