- February 27, 2026
A new candidate for Ormond Beach mayor has entered the race.
Damien Curry, owner of Garden Boys Landscaping, filed to run for the open seat on Feb. 13. This is the first time the 26-year-old U.S. Navy veteran is running for any political office. He decided to run because he wants to be involved in his community, he said.
"We live in a beautiful area," Curry said. "I just want to have conversations and tell my story and positively impact my community."
Curry spent his early childhood in Volusia County before moving to Mississippi when his mom joined the U.S. Air Force. He later lived for a few years overseas in England before returning to Volusia County and graduating from DeLand High School in 2018. He then served in the Navy, returning to Volusia County after three years of service.
Curry has been a Volusia County lifeguard since he was 18 years old. An active member of Oasis Church, he and his wife purchased a home and moved to Ormond Beach in 2024.
He currently serves on the board of his homeowners association, saying he was asked to join when he and his neighbors were facing a fee increase. Curry said he helped to balance the budget and is now leading a major construction project on behalf of the board.
Fiscal responsibility, Curry said, and keeping in mind seniors on fixed incomes are some of his priorities as a mayoral candidate.
He's also concerned with development and infrastructure. But, he said, he has no "political agendas" and is nonpartisan. His views, he said, don't align with either major political party.
Curry is viewing his run for mayor through the lens of a young homeowner impacted by local decisions, he said.
"I'm just the voice of someone that lives here in Ormond Beach — that is working here, that represents all these different people because of my upbringing, because of my experiences," Curry said. "I can say when something's wrong and I don't feel comfortable with it. I'm going to speak what I believe in."
So far, Curry is the second candidate to file for the mayoral seat. Zone 1 City Commissioner Lori Tolland filed to run last October. Current Mayor Jason Leslie is running for Florida House District 29.
