Frank Bruno Announces Candidacy for Florida Senate

DAYTONA BEACH, Fla., July 26, 2011 /PRNewswire/ -- Volusia County Chair Frank Bruno has announced his candidacy for the Florida Senate District 7 Seat, which will be decided in the November 2012 election. The announcement was made today at a gathering of friends, family, supporters and representatives of the news media on the plaza between historic Peabody auditorium and the newly expanded Ocean Center meeting, convention and event complex.  

(Photo:  http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20110726/FL41543 )

"We have a rare opportunity to elect an extraordinary individual to represent us in Tallahassee," said Daytona Beach Mayor Glenn Ritchey, who introduced Bruno at the outdoor event.  "Frank Bruno has been an exemplary leader in our community, rolling up his sleeves and tackling thorny issues time after time. To say he is a gentleman is an understatement. But that does not mean he is not a force to be reckoned with when it comes to the rough-and-tumble business of government. He will be particularly effective as a member of the Florida Senate."

In announcing his candidacy, Bruno spoke of the region's great assets, comparing its natural assets to those that are the result of vision, great effort, and teamwork. He said that balanced representation in Tallahassee will lead to the kind of teamwork that will benefit the region in many ways, most notably the creation of jobs.

"Because my experiences as a longtime resident of the area, and because I have had the honor of serving as Volusia County Chairman and in leadership roles on many regional organizations, giving me clear perspective on the needs of Central Florida, I am pleased to announce my candidacy for the Florida Senate representing District 7," said Bruno.

Bruno is a veteran of the United States Army. He and his wife of forty-two years, Mary, moved to Florida, where he formed a printing company, which he owned and managed for twenty-three years before selling the business.  Throughout his career in business he was engaged in community service, which led him to run for office. He was elected to the Ponce Inlet Town Council and later served as Vice Mayor. His interest in good government grew and he ran for Volusia County Council in the 1980s.  After having served twice as the appointed Volusia County Council Chairman, Bruno made history as the county's first elected Chairman in 2004 and was re-elected for yet another term without opposition in 2008. He has also been active in a variety of regional leadership initiatives including the Central Florida Commuter Rail Commission, MyRegion.org, the Central Florida Partnership, and the Central Florida Congress of Regional Leaders.

In addition to his duties as Volusia County Chair, Bruno chairs the Tourist Development Council, the Disadvantaged Local Coordinating Board, and the Volusia Council of Governments. He also serves as a member of the boards of directors of EVAC and the Metropolitan Planning Organization and has served as an adjunct teacher at Daytona Beach Community College, now Daytona State College.

He is an active member of Epiphany Catholic Church in Port Orange, where he serves as a Eucharistic Minister.  Among the many awards and honors bestowed upon Bruno are the Catholic Charities' Floyd J. Tredway Award for Outstanding Community Service; the Center for the Visually Impaired Larry J. Kelly Community Service Award; the TIppen Davidson Award for the Arts, and the Martin Luther King Civil Rights Award.  The Brunos, who were high school sweethearts, have one daughter, Kimberly, one son-in-law, Eddie, and a grandson, whom they describe as the greatest grandson in the world, Ian.

Bruno says he enters the race with a lifetime of public service experience to draw upon and with his eyes wide open.  To quote the great Henry Flagler, "I've always been contented, but I've never been satisfied."

The District 7 Seat is currently held by Senator Evelyn Lynn, who will be leaving office at the conclusion of her term in 2012 due to term limits. The district, which is currently being redrawn is likely to include major portions of Volusia, Marion, Putnam and Clay counties.    

Political advertising paid for and approved by Frank Bruno, Democrat, for State Senate, District 7

SOURCE Frank Bruno