My name is Dr. Kerry B. Lewis, and I am honored to stand before you as a candidate for Mayor of Daytona Beach in 2028. Many of you know me as a public servant, business innovator, editorial leader, and ordained pastor. My life has been devoted to service, accountability, and defending the values that make our community strong.
I bring both professional and spiritual grounding to this work. With a Master’s in Business and Finance and a Doctorate in Divinity, I have learned how to unite strategic innovation with principled leadership. As the founder of Rover Pet Stores Inc. and former owner of the Edgewater Gazette, I have proven that I can build businesses, strengthen neighborhoods, and stand firm for truth in the public square.
This campaign is not about titles—it is about people. It is about restoring trust in local government, protecting our families, and ensuring Daytona Beach remains a place where hard work and responsibility are rewarded. My priorities are clear:
Public Safety — Families must feel secure in every neighborhood. Law and order are non-negotiable.
Infrastructure Readiness — Growth must never outrun roads, schools, and utilities. Development must serve residents, not overwhelm them.
Local Business Growth — Jobs and opportunity should stay here at home. We will put Daytona businesses first.
Environmental — Protecting our beaches, waterways, and natural resources is both a duty and a legacy.
Ethical Governance — End favoritism, cut reckless spending, and put citizens before lobbyists and special interests.
I also believe the everyday details matter. Safe bus stops, clean streets, affordable housing, and neighborhood pride are not small issues—they are the foundation of a city where families thrive. When we care for the basics, the bigger victories last.
Daytona Beach deserves leadership that is disciplined, transparent, and focused on results. I am committed to building a city where families can flourish, businesses can grow, and every resident feels proud to call Daytona Beach home.
Together, we can secure a future rooted in accountability, fairness, and community strength. That is my promise to you.
This blog will serve as the official space for statements made by the campaign and press releases on key topics. Every post here reflects my own convictions, priorities, and commitment to the people of Daytona Beach.
The purpose of this blog is to provide transparent, documented updates—whether addressing misinformation, outlining policy positions, or sharing important announcements. By publishing directly here, I ensure that citizens have access to the facts, unfiltered and uncompromised.
All entries are authored and approved by Dr. Kerry B. Lewis
Please Visit The Fact Sheet
Daytona Beach, FL – November 30, 2025 – Dr. Kerry B. Lewis, nationally recognized public servant, business innovator, and founder of the Edgewater Gazette, today issued a formal statement regarding his status in the upcoming 2028 Presidential election.
The Lewis for Mayor Campaign has officially added a Fact Sheet to its website. This new section was created to directly address the false narratives and misinformation being spread in our community.
In today’s political climate, technology plays a growing role in shaping campaigns. Artificial intelligence is being used by some candidates to draft speeches, generate content, and even respond to voters. That is not the path of the Lewis for Mayor Campaign.
Daytona Beach, Florida, has a rich and evolving history that reflects the broader story of the American South—marked by indigenous heritage, European colonization, entrepreneurial ambition, and a legacy of innovation in tourism and motorsports.
Long before European settlers arrived, the area was home to the Timucuan people, a Native American tribe who lived along Florida’s east coast for thousands of years. They thrived in the region’s estuaries and forests, building complex societies and trading with neighboring tribes. Their presence began to decline in the 16th and 17th centuries due to disease and conflict brought by Spanish explorers and later British colonists.
In the 1800s, the land that would become Daytona Beach was part of a series of plantations and settlements. In 1870, a businessman from Ohio named Mathias Day purchased 3,200 acres of land along the Halifax River. He built a hotel and laid out a small town, which was incorporated in 1876 and named Daytona in his honor. The area grew slowly at first, relying on agriculture, fishing, and tourism as its economic base.
The early 20th century brought a new identity to Daytona Beach. Thanks to its wide, hard-packed sand beaches, the city became a magnet for automobile enthusiasts and speed pioneers. In the early 1900s, drivers began racing directly on the beach, setting world land speed records and attracting international attention. This racing culture eventually led to the founding of NASCAR in 1948 by Bill France Sr., and the construction of the Daytona International Speedway in 1959, which remains one of the most iconic motorsports venues in the world.
In 1926, the cities of Daytona, Daytona Beach, and Seabreeze merged to form the modern city of Daytona Beach. The city continued to grow as a tourist destination, known for its beaches, boardwalk, and spring break culture. It also became a hub for retirees, students, and families drawn to its coastal lifestyle and relatively affordable cost of living.
In recent decades, Daytona Beach has faced the challenges of rapid development, environmental preservation, and economic diversification. While tourism and motorsports remain central to its identity, the city has also invested in education, healthcare, and infrastructure to support a growing population. Debates over land use, conservation, and civic transparency continue to shape its political landscape.
Today, Daytona Beach stands as a city with deep roots and a dynamic future—where history, nature, and innovation continue to intersect along Florida’s Atlantic coast.