DAYTONA BEACH, FL — Dr. Kerry B. Lewis, a nationally respected public servant, business innovator, editorial leader, and ordained pastor, has officially laid out a sweeping and detailed agenda as he continues preparations for a 2028 run for Mayor of Daytona Beach. With a career defined by service, accountability, and community empowerment, Dr. Lewis is positioning himself as a reform-focused conservative committed to restoring trust, strengthening neighborhoods, and delivering disciplined, transparent governance.

Armed with a Master’s degree in Business and Finance and a Doctorate in Divinity, Dr. Lewis brings a blend of strategic innovation and ethical leadership rarely seen in municipal politics. He is the founder of Rover Pet Stores Inc. and the former owner of the Edgewater Gazette, two roles that strengthened his reputation as a builder of local businesses and a defender of truth in the public square.

“Daytona Beach deserves leadership that puts people over politics, service over special interests, and accountability over convenience,” Dr. Lewis said during an extensive sit-down interview. “We can deliver major reforms while also fixing the everyday issues that shape residents’ lives.”

A Vision Rooted in Growth, Stability, and Neighborhood Pride

Dr. Lewis says his administration would be driven by responsible planning, environmental protection, and strong safeguards for taxpayers. At the heart of his growth agenda is a simple message: growth must never outrun quality of life.

Infrastructure-Matched Growth

Lewis plans to introduce ordinances tying new development approvals directly to infrastructure readiness. While state law prevents population caps, he says Daytona Beach can use concurrency requirements—ensuring roads, schools, utilities, and stormwater systems are adequate before approving major projects.

Conservation Incentives

To protect wetlands, coastal ecosystems, and forests, Lewis supports local incentives for conservation and zoning protections that prevent overdevelopment in sensitive areas.

Developer-Funded Impact Assessments

“Growth must pay for itself—not taxpayers,” he said, vowing to require developers to finance independent traffic, utility, and environmental studies before permits are granted.

Economy & Local Business: A “Daytona First” Approach

Lewis says revitalizing the local economy begins with prioritizing homegrown businesses. Through procurement reforms, the city would choose local vendors whenever possible. Fee reductions, streamlined permitting, and small-business assistance programs are all within mayoral authority and will be activated immediately.

“Our local businesses are the backbone of Daytona Beach. They deserve a city that champions them,” he said.

Environment, Flooding & Public Safety

Stormwater Resilience

Lewis pledges a citywide modernization of drainage systems, expanded retention ponds, and green infrastructure standards to reduce flooding and hurricane impacts.

Hotel & Tourism Safety

He will require stricter annual inspections—fire, sanitation, elevator, and structural—to ensure Daytona Beach remains a safe and appealing tourist destination.

Neighborhood Empowerment

Lewis proposes neighborhood councils with micro-grants for resident-led projects, stronger protections against arbitrary rezoning, and policies that uphold property rights and prevent predatory development tactics.

“People know what their neighborhoods need. We should listen to them,” he said.

Governance, Ethics & Ending Special Interests

Lewis promises sweeping reforms aimed at transparency and accountability, including:

Public dashboards for spending and contracts

• Charter-driven efforts to enact term limits
• An independent ethics board
• Mandatory public hearings prior to major contracts
• He also vocalized strong opposition to SB 180, a new state preemption law curbing local authority.

“Home rule is a conservative principle. Tallahassee shouldn’t micromanage Daytona Beach,” Lewis said.

Public Safety: Accountability and Excellence

Lewis’s plan includes boosting technology, training, and community policing while establishing citizen review boards to ensure transparency and trust.

“There must be zero tolerance for misconduct—and full support for officers who serve with integrity,” he said.

Day-One Executive Orders

If elected, Lewis intends to take immediate action:

Freeze non-essential hiring

• Launch citywide contract audits
• Implement public transparency dashboards
• “These steps set the tone: disciplined, transparent, accountable,” he said.

Youth, Families & Affordable Housing

While rent control is limited by state law, Lewis proposes city incentives—grants, tax reductions, and fee waivers—to encourage landlords to maintain affordable rents. He also plans partnerships to expand after-school programs, concussion awareness, playground upgrades, and mental-health initiatives.

Permitting, Licensing & Digital Government

Lewis supports digitizing permitting and licensing systems, mandating 30-day maximum processing times, and expanding online services for residents.

Compassionate Conservatism: Homelessness Solutions

Rejecting criminalization, Lewis aims to expand partnerships with nonprofits and faith-based groups to provide shelter, treatment, and pathways back to stable employment.

“Compassion and fiscal responsibility go hand-in-hand,” he said.

Fiscal Accountability: Deep Reform of the P-Card System

Lewis outlined an extensive overhaul of Daytona Beach’s purchasing-card (P-Card) system, including public reporting of all transactions over $500, quarterly audits, dual approvals for large purchases, and real-time transaction alerts.

“Every dollar will be justified. Every transaction visible. That’s my commitment,” he said.

Budget priorities under a Lewis administration include:

40% Public Safety & Infrastructure

20% Growth & Development

15% Local Economy & Business

10% Housing & Families

10% Governance & Ethics

5% Compassionate Conservatism

Cuts to Reckless Spending

Lewis promises to eliminate:

Family favoritism

• Lobbyist-driven contracts
• Excessive P-Card limits
• Developer giveaways
• Hidden travel and entertainment spending
• Unnecessary hiring sprees
• Transportation, Arts & Community Initiatives

His plan expands bus routes, adds bike lanes, adopts smart traffic signals, enhances school-area safety, supports public art, strengthens animal welfare programs, and protects historic landmarks.

A Path Forward

Dr. Lewis says his roadmap uses every tool available—executive orders, ordinances, budget authority, and public engagement—to restore trust and deliver results.

“Daytona Beach must become a place where families thrive, businesses grow, and every resident feels proud to call this city home,” he said.

With a platform this expansive, Dr. Kerry B. Lewis enters the 2028 mayoral landscape as a disciplined, reform-driven, and deeply community-focused candidate who intends to transform Daytona Beach through transparency, accountability, and everyday excellence.

Amanda

Staff Reporter