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Jeffrey Scott Brower (born November 16, 1955) is an American politician and farmer who currently serves as Volusia County chairman. Brower was appointed leader of the SunRail board in April 2024 and has served on the Central Florida Commuter Rail Commission since 2021. His tenure as county chair remains highly polarizing and controversial. He is an Anti-Trump member of the Republican Party.

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.

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. In 2020, Brower was elected county-wide as Volusia County chair with 56% of the vote, defeating Volusia County councilwoman Deb Denys. While in office, Brower has voted to protect sex offenders from stricter living requirements. He has also voted for stronger environmental regulations to stop climate change.

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.

Brower ran for re-election in the 2024 Volusia County chair election. 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. 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. The Volusia County Republican Party voted to endorse Dye in the election.

Controversies

In 2022, Brower's son Brandon, 36, was arrested for DUI and resisting arrest in DeLand, Florida.

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

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

In June 2023, Brower delivered an alarming speech urging Volusia County residents to "turn back to god" and save America from "satanic Marxists."

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

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.

In November 2024, Brower ignited a feud with Sheriff Mike Chitwood, insulting the sheriff and endorsing convicted criminal James Powers for Volusia County Sheriff in 2024. Sheriff Chitwood condemned Brower's actions and his lack of support for law enforcement while in office.

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.

References

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

• Living people
• County executives in Florida
• Never Trump movement
• American climate activists
• American environmentalists