Three seats on the Palm Coast City Council are up for election this year: Districts 2, 3, and 4. In District 3, Ray Stevens was the only candidate to qualify, and is automatically elected. In Districts 2 and 4, there are no incumbents running for re-election. Three candidates are on the ballot in District 2, and four candidates are running in District 4. These are non-partisan races, open to all voters in the city of Palm Coast.
News4JAX sent a questionnaire to each candidate asking about their background and their views on several issues. Scroll down to read the responses of those seeking your vote in their own words.
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Note: Responses are sorted alphabetically and are presented exactly as submitted, with no editing by News4JAX staff.
| DISTRICT 2 CANDIDATES |
Antonio “Tony” Amaral Jr
Campaign website: votesfortony.com
Campaign social media: Facebook | Instagram
This candidate has not responded to email and telephone invitations to complete the News4JAX candidate questionnaire. If responses are received, they will be promptly posted in this space.
Jeani Duarte
Occupation: Retired Bakery Owner, Dabbled in Short term and Long term rentals, Certified Fitness Nutrition Specialist.
Age: 59
Family: Married to a Retired Marine, Grandma
Education: Some college, Certified through National Academy Of Sports Medicine.
Political experience: Attend City Council meetings and researching the issues.
What do you see as the top three issues in this race, and how do you plan to address them?
1. Transparency concerning issues and how we got to where we are. Open communication and placing the facts of various issues in front of the electors for proper approvals or denials.
2. Budget, Fiscal Accountability. All Salaries starting at the Top and budgets in every department need reviewing for accountability, cuts or trims to ensure fiscal responsibility. This includes cutting the unapproved portions of the Mayor and Council compensations.
3. Infrastructure must be addressed before any growth can move forward. This includes the Data Center, Westward Expansion, and all other Mass Community Developments. With Full Transparencies. Impact Fees need to be collected up front. The Ad Valorem needs revisited.
How can you help voters in a way that others running for this office cannot?
I am the only candidate that is not compromised. I have no conflicts of interest. I am not a builder nor do I live across the street from the Mayor. I have done the research and found many issues on my own. I have a history of stepping up to the podium to defend the citizens of Palm Coast regardless of the backlash I have received. I stand firm on the issues, I am fully self funded, so I am nobodies puppet.
What would you hope to be remembered for accomplishing after serving in this office?
Setting Palm Coast Straight with it’s Budget Accountability, Charter Restoration, Strong, Healthy and Transparent Water Infrastructure, a Stable Community Planning System that includes assets that incorporate Stop and Go Revenue without destroying our natural resources. Plus Transparent, Easy Public Access of Information.
Campaign website: jeani4palmcoast.com
Campaign social media: Facebook
Jimmy Hengy
Occupation: Retired
Age: 64
Family: 5 children and 5 Grandchildren
Education: Right from graduating High School, into 40 years of business development and ownership.
Political experience: 1st time running for office.
What do you see as the top three issues in this race, and how do you plan to address them?
#1. Our lacking infrastructure from overdevelopment! Putting the breaks on development and redirecting our efforts towards our streets, water, wastewater and storm water capacities. Once our infrastructure is capable, planning new residential developments focused on low density residential communities with abundant green spaces.
#2. Economic Development. Developing an incubator program to nurture upcoming entrepreneurs in mentoring best business practices and helping with startup cost financing. Re enter an EDC division to attract higher paying light industrial manufacturing, focusing on Space Coast opportunities.
#3. Protecting our environment, saving our existing green spaces to protect our abundant wildlife population. Retaining the beauty of Palm Coast that attracted our residents, and future residents, to live here.
How can you help voters in a way that others running for this office cannot?
I am retired from 40 years of business experience. I can devote my total attention to our council in representing the needs of our community. I know how to build teams, develop budgets and work within budget constraints. I have no agenda, I’m not affiliated with any builders, developers or large land owners. I have no political aspirations; if elected, I will serve my term, or at the most, 2 terms in representing the wants and needs of our community, with communication, transparency and fiscal responsibility.
What would you hope to be remembered for accomplishing after serving in this office?
That I have helped in preserving the beauty of Palm Coast. That I helped in developing real economic opportunities.
That I helped in creating balanced budgets, reduced debt and helped make our city more affordable for our residence.
Campaign website: www.jimmyhengy.com
Campaign social media: Facebook
| DISTRICT 4 CANDIDATES |
Dylana “Dee” Galery
Occupation: National Field Support Manager and Residential Instructor at the Florida School for the Deaf and the Blind
Age: 32
Family: Born at Fort Hood, Texas, into a military family, I moved to Florida at a young age and was raised in Hastings. Palm Coast has been my home for a total of 10 years, and I am proud to be running to serve the community that has given me so much.
Education: Bachelor of Arts in Political Science, University of Central Florida. Graduate of the Palm Coast Citizens Academy.
Political experience: This is my first campaign for public office. For about a year, I have followed City Council meetings online, and over the past several months I have attended City Council and Planning Board meetings in person to better understand the issues facing Palm Coast. I have also spent countless hours talking with residents throughout our community to hear their concerns firsthand. I completed the Palm Coast Citizens Academy, earned the Outstanding Senator Award at Stetson University’s Model Senate, and bring professional leadership experience managing multimillion dollar budgets, leading teams, and making fiscally responsible decisions.
What do you see as the top three issues in this race, and how do you plan to address them?
The biggest issues are infrastructure, responsible growth, and transparency.
First, infrastructure. Our roads, drainage, and utilities need to catch up before we approve more residential growth. I will work to prioritize infrastructure improvements and hold developers accountable for paying their fair share of the costs that growth creates.
Second, responsible growth. Growth should benefit the people who already live here. I will support attracting businesses that create quality jobs while making sure new development matches the capacity of our roads, utilities, and public services.
Finally, transparency. Residents deserve to be part of the conversation before major decisions are made. I will prioritize open communication, community engagement, and making City Hall more accessible so residents always know what is happening and have the opportunity to be heard.
How can you help voters in a way that others running for this office cannot?
I bring real world leadership experience and a fresh perspective. Throughout my career, I have managed people, budgets, and complex projects where every decision affects employees, clients, and the bottom line. I know how to ask questions, bring people together, and make informed decisions instead of rushing to conclusions.
What makes me different is that I genuinely want to hear from residents before decisions are made. I believe the best solutions come from listening, being transparent, and following through. Palm Coast deserves leadership that plans ahead, communicates openly, and always puts residents first.
What would you hope to be remembered for accomplishing after serving in this office?
I hope people remember that Palm Coast became stronger because we started planning ahead instead of reacting to problems. I want to be remembered for improving infrastructure, protecting our water, managing growth responsibly, attracting better jobs, and restoring trust in local government. Most of all, I hope people remember that they had a council member who listened, showed up, and followed through.
Campaign website: dylanagalery.com
Campaign social media: Facebook
John Kvederis
Occupation: Junk Removal business owner
Age: 34
Family: Single
Education: High school
Political experience: 1st time running
What do you see as the top three issues in this race, and how do you plan to address them?
Economic Development & Local Affordability
The Issue is Inflation, rising property taxes, and the increasing cost of living are putting pressure on local families and small businesses.
The plan I will advocate for fiscal responsibility by streamlining municipal spending, cutting unnecessary red tape for small business growth, and supporting targeted tax relief initiatives to keep our community affordable for working families and seniors.
Public Safety & Community Infrastructure
The Issue: Aging infrastructure, traffic congestion, and ensuring public safety departments have adequate resources to serve a growing population.
Plan: I will prioritize funding for critical road, utility, and drainage projects while ensuring our first responders (police, fire, and EMS) have the modern equipment, competitive compensation, and community support necessary to keep our neighborhoods safe.
Transparency & Local Government Accountability
The Issue: Voters often feel disconnected from local decision-making and desire more transparency regarding how public funds are spent.
Plan: I will implement regular town hall meetings, push for fully accessible digital streaming of public workshops/meetings, and mandate clearer reporting on municipal budgets and project timelines so residents always know where their tax dollars go.
How can you help voters in a way that others running for this office cannot?
What sets me apart in this race is my extensive real world experience as a business owner and my executive background in casino financial management.
Managing complex financial operations in the casino and gaming industry requires strict regulatory compliance, rigorous oversight of multi million dollar budgets, and absolute precision in accounting. I know how to audit operations, eliminate fiscal waste, identify revenue opportunities, and stretch every dollar without sacrificing quality or service.
Combined with the grit and practical problem solving that comes with owning and operating a business, I bring a level of financial discipline and operational expertise that traditional political candidates simply do not have. I won’t need a learning curve when it comes to analyzing complex public budgets, holding departments accountable, or making smart, business minded decisions for our community.
What would you hope to be remembered for accomplishing after serving in this office?
Having grown up in Palm Coast, I want to be remembered as the leader who brought true fiscal responsibility and operational efficiency back to city government.
Above all, I hope to leave a legacy of solving long overdue infrastructure issues specifically fixing our stormwater management, swales, and drainage systems by prioritizing what we already have before taking on unnecessary new costs. I want residents to remember my tenure as a time when taxpayers finally got a City Council that scrutinized every dollar, protected local property owners, and ensured that government served the community with total transparency and business minded accountability.
Campaign website: votekvederis.com
Campaign social media: Facebook
Ramon Marrero
Occupation: At the moment, I am retired but operating a 501 (c) (3) non-profit, but I come from a Military, law enforcement, and mortgage underwriting background.
Age: 66
Family: I have three daughters and two grandsons. I have 9 siblings, and my mother, who, thank God, is still with us.
Education: BA in Business Administration.
Political experience: None. This is my first time running for a position, but I have 19 years of service to this community, working with other charitable and religious organizations.
What do you see as the top three issues in this race, and how do you plan to address them?
The top three issues are managing growth, improving infrastructure, and strengthening our local economy. We need to make sure growth pays for itself, invest in roads and utilities before they become problems, and attract businesses that create good-paying jobs. My focus will be on practical solutions that protect our quality of life.
How can you help voters in a way that others running for this office cannot?
I bring real-world leadership from the military, law enforcement, business, and the nonprofit sector. I’ve managed budgets, solved problems, and built consensus. I’ll bring that same practical experience, integrity, and common-sense approach to every decision on the City Council.
What would you hope to be remembered for accomplishing after serving in this office?
I want to be remembered for putting Palm Coast first—making smart decisions, improving our infrastructure, protecting our quality of life, and leaving the city stronger and better prepared for the future.
Campaign website: vote4ramon.com
Campaign social media: Facebook | X | Instagram | LinkedIn
Darlene Shelley
Occupation: Retired
Age: 57
Family: Bryan Shelley- Husband of 35 years, daughter Brandy and husband Garret, son Bryan and wife Lauren, and three precious grandchildren ages 11, 3, and 3 and my mom, Mary Alice. Brandy and her family and momma also live in Palm Coast. My mom and dad moved to Palm Coast 30 years ago and visiting them on vacations is how we came to love the beautiful coastal city of Palm Coast. In 2012, we moved here for good.
Education: Associate’s degree in human resource management, Rutgers Garden Certification, multiple Continued Education Certificates.
Political experience: Not a politician
What do you see as the top three issues in this race, and how do you plan to address them?
Overdevelopment- My solution- Demand infrastructure, compatibility, public benefit, and concurrency are met before approving development proposals.
Water- My solution- Protect wetlands, fragile ecosystems and the environment. Consider capacity limitations, potential for pollution and contamination, and increased flooding possibilities before approving any development project, additional density or added intensity. Ensure wells and aquifer are protected from contamination, depletion, and damage due to development, saltwater intrusion, or wastewater injection.
Affordability and Quality of Life- Local neighbors are being forced to have to move through increases in utility and electric costs, excessive nuisance noise, and increased traffic and safety concerns. My solution- Ensure rule of law is enforced and rules and regulations are upheld. I would strive to bring quality jobs, tax base diversity through light industrial uses that are compatible with surrounding communities and discuss methods for insuring development pays for its infrastructure, traffic prevention, and utility upgrades do not let those cost burdens fall upon the shoulders of the residents.
How can you help voters in a way that others running for this office cannot?
I have over 35 years of experience in leadership, operations management, and delivering results. I am the only candidate in my district race that owns a home and has zero debt. My proven track record of dedication to fiscal responsibility, advocating for the safety, health, and welfare of my Palm Coast family, and working hard to prevent poorly planned overdevelopment in our city speak volumes. My work with Concerned Citizens of Palm Coast, PeaceforPalm.com , and Palm Coast Connect have delivered measurable results in quality of life, health and safety improvements, and in the beautification of the city that we love. More trees and flowers- Hard work and dedication -Less wasteful spending- Better Quality of Life and Increased Home Values, this is how I have achieved my American Dream and with these experiences and attributes I believe can help Palm Coast remain a great city in which to live and work.
What would you hope to be remembered for accomplishing after serving in this office?
I would like to be remembered as a local resident who cared enough to step outside my comfort zone to stand up for the things I hold near and dear. These things include the peaceful enjoyment of our homes, our Constitutional Rights, the health and safety of our friends and family, affordability of utility bills for seniors, renters, and homeowners, and most importantly- LISTENING to the residents and taking action to SOLVE the problems they are facing. Not pointing fingers, not saying it is out of my control, not kicking the can down the road, and not saying “Thank you for your comment” and then doing nothing to fix the issue.
Campaign website: darleneforpalmcoast.com
Campaign social media: Facebook