Trusted Leadership

★★★★★

Born at Canaveral Hospital in Melbourne Florida and raised between Orange City, Florida, and Uniontown, Pennsylvania, Don Dempsey’s life has been shaped by both the promise of thriving communities and the lessons of hard times. He saw firsthand the decline of once-prosperous coal and steel towns in Pennsylvania, and those experiences instilled in him a deep appreciation for hard work, resilience, and the importance of economic freedom.

Don’s determination was evident early on—working multiple jobs from the age of 12 to support his passion for dirt bikes. He credits those years on the dirt bike tracks for building the discipline and work ethic that would later define his career.

After graduating cum laude from law school, Don began his legal career as an Assistant State Attorney in Volusia County in 1990. Since then, he has built a respected law practice in criminal defense, family law, and general civil litigation, always guided by fairness, integrity, and a belief in equal justice under the law.

A lifelong supporter of free enterprise, Don is a firm believer that limited government and a strong free market are the foundation of America’s success. He stands behind his record and principles that protect individual freedom, economic opportunity, and constitutional values.

Don and his wife, Angela, live in DeLand, where they are active members of Liberty Independent Baptist Church. They are proud parents of two children — Grayson, a motocross competitor; Elizabeth, a barrel racer. Don has an adult son, Michael, a JetBlue captain, from a previous marriage.

Don made a personal commitment that when he turned 55, he would use his experience and wisdom to give back through public service. Guided by faith, family, and the Constitution, he remains dedicated to preserving the freedoms and opportunities that define the American dream.

Videos

Don speaks on those things that taught him about Focus and Discipline as a child, the lessons that gave him his work ethic.

A Message From

Councilman Don Dempsey

Friends and neighbors in District 1,

As your District 1 County Council Member, I want to take a moment to share my perspective on the ongoing discussion about the Volusia Forever program.

Volusia Forever is a voter-approved land conservation initiative that has protected thousands of acres of natural areas, wetlands, and working lands since its inception—preventing over development and preserving our quality of life for future generations. In 2020, an impressive 75.6% of voters reauthorized it, showing strong support for keeping these lands protected “forever” through perpetual conservation easements and partnerships with state programs.

However, recent council discussions have raised important questions about the program’s structure, funding, potential limits on perpetual protections, and whether some changes could better align with current needs without undermining voter intent. I’ve been vocal about ensuring we don’t over commit future generations financially or surrender too much local control through partnerships—while still honoring the spirit of what voters approved.

This is a complex issue with passionate views on all sides, and I believe transparency is key. That’s why I’ve prepared a five-part video series explaining my thoughts in detail, including the history of the program, the current controversies, and my reasoning for the positions I’ve taken.
I strongly encourage you to watch these videos before our county council meeting on Tuesday. Your input matters, and I want you to be fully informed as we continue this important conversation.

Watch the full five-part series below

Let’s keep Volusia beautiful and fiscally responsible for everyone. I’d love to hear your thoughts in the comments—respectful dialogue is always welcome.
Thank you for your time and for being engaged citizens.

Don's Priorities

Dedicated to fostering community, ensuring safety, supporting local jobs, and leading with honesty and compassion

Flooding

We must find a responsible way to mitigate flooding in Volusia County

Reduce Taxes

The County Council must continue to look for ways to cut spending along with taxes.

Tallahassee is chipping away at our Home Rule Rights and we must fight back.

Fight for Home Rule

No Deep Well Injection

I will fight against injecting our Reclaimed Water deep into the ground potentially polluting our Aquifer.

No AI Data Centers

AI Data Centers are known to drive up energy costs for surrounding communities as well as strain water resources.

Contact Us

Reach out to join Don Dempsey’s team or share your thoughts today.

Phone

Paid and approved by Don Dempsey for Voulsia County Council District 1

386-956-4370