Volusia County Council dist. 3 victor Joie Alexander: 'I am humbled'

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Joie Alexander 17,465 votes 56.04%

George Trovato 13,701 votes 43.96%

Total votes cast: 31,166

PORT ORANGE -- Joie Alexander was ecstatic with her convincing victory over former Deltona attorney George Trovato for the district 3 seat on the Volusia County in Tuesday's general elections.

Alexander garnered 56 percent of the votes cast to continue her already eight-year run on the Volusia County Council. She was term-limited from her County Council at-large seat, which she gives up at year's end to take over the district 3 seat being vacated by New Smyrna Beach's Jack Hayman, who also is term-limited.

County Council members are prohibited from serving more than two consecutive four-year terms. But Alexander took advantage of a loophole in the county charter allows incumbents to virtually jump from one seat to another, assuming they win the new seat, which Alexander did.

"I am humbled -- truly humbled," Alexander, the Port Orange resident and retired Samsula Elementary School principal said. "It is really a vote of confidence. I will work hard to maintain that confidence."

The controversial Trovato, who was dogged by questions about his duel residences in Port Orange and Deltona, the latter where he briefly served as city attorney before he was fired, never got traction in the general election, barely eking out a second place finish in the Aug. 24 primary to force the runoff. 

Still, Alexander didn't take her opponent for granted.

"I worked hard, very, very hard," said Alexander, who was a frequent visitor to the four polling locales in the county during early voting, holding up her own signs and shouting out requests to "please vote for me."

The 70-year-old Alexander, far from shy, developed her toughness as principal of the former Samsula Elementary from 1991-'99.

The district 3 seat this time around is limited to two years because it landed on a census year and county charter shortens the tenure for possible realignment of seats.

Alexander said the shortened term actually is a good fit for her because of her experience of the last eight years, adding she's "just grateful" for the opportunity to continue her public service.

"I worked hard, very, very hard."

 Photos by Henry Frederick

Above, Joie Alexander holds up her sign in front of the New Smyrna Beach RegionalPublic Library during early voting Thursday. At left, Alexander is all smiles to early voters.