- January 15, 2026
Zone 3 Ormond Beach City Commissioner Kristin Deaton has filed for reelection.
Deaton, sales manager and mortgage loan originator at Guild Mortgage, filed to run for her second term in office on Monday, Jan. 12. A lifelong Ormond Beach resident, Deaton was elected in 2024 and told the Observer that she wanted to give herself a full year on the commission before making the decision to run again. She wanted to see the work up close, understand the responsibilities and make sure she could continue doing it in a way that benefits the community, she said, adding she had conversations with her family too, as public service is a commitment for them as well.
"After a year of experience and those conversations, the decision felt very clear: to continue being a voice for our residents and to keep moving our community forward," Deaton said in an email.
Some of the accomplishments she's most proud of include staying focused on quality of life, pushing for fiscal responsibility and advocating for residents and their neighborhoods.
"We’ve pushed back on inappropriate development in areas like Tomoka Oaks and near Hunter’s Ridge because growth should be thoughtful, responsible, and in line with our community’s character," Deaton said.
Public perception around growth and development is one of the biggest ongoing challenges in the city, Deaton said.
"I completely understand the frustration, and in many cases, I share it," she said. "But it’s also important to understand how the process actually works."
Several developments were approved in years past, and new votes coming before the commission are often on specific technical elements like landscaping, buffers, setbacks, or site design details — not whether the development can or can't be constructed, she said.
Additionally, there are some developments that are in active litigation, limiting what the city can do or discuss publicly.
"Tomoka Oaks is one example, particularly in Zone 3," Deaton said. "That’s why I think it’s so important to be honest about what’s within our control and to focus on shaping growth responsibly and protecting neighborhoods wherever we legally can."
If reelected for a second term, Deaton said she wants to continue to focus on improving the I-95 and Granada Boulevard corridor and work toward expanding recreation opportunities west of I-95. Deaton said she would also like to continue addressing quality of life concerns around homelessness in a balanced approach that "protects public spaces, helps connect people to services, and responds to residents’ concerns in a lawful and humane way."
Her first term on the commission was a "real-eye opening experience," she said.
"A year gives you the opportunity not just to serve, but to learn, to see firsthand what can and can’t be done quickly, and to understand what it really means to think long-term," Deaton said. "There’s no substitute for experience. This term has reinforced for me why responsible leadership matters and why no one person has all the answers. I’m one vote out of five, and it takes a majority consensus to get anything accomplished."
To date, only one candidate, William Sanchez, has filed to run against Deaton. Sanchez filed in August of last year.
