Michael Poniatowski
Poniatowski is a former firefighter and former police officer who describes himself as an efficiency expert in running large organizations and teams. He advanced to the November 3, 2026 runoff for the Volusia County Council at-large seat. His campaign focuses on property-tax reform, limiting up-zoning and sprawl, protecting the aquifer and wetlands, and opposing large data centers.
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Positions on the major issues
Compare with opponents →Each entry describes what the candidate has said or done, and what they say they will do, in neutral terms with sources. The chip shows how that relates to the statement voters rate in the matching tool.
Taxes & spending Leans agree· stated position
He says he would cut government spending while maintaining public safety and infrastructure, and pairs that with support for property-tax reform.
Property taxes Leans agree· stated position
In the News 6 voter guide he said he supports property-tax reform, citing polling showing a strong majority of voters want some form of it, and committed to identifying cuts to make county government leaner.
"recent polling shows strong majority of voters want some form of property tax reform"
Environment & water Strongly agrees· stated position
He names aquifer protection and wetlands preservation as his top environmental priorities and strongly opposes large hyperscale data centers over their water use and emissions, arguing they bring few jobs.
"Once land is gone, it can never be replaced, and the damage done is irreversible."
Growth & development Strongly agrees· stated position
He says he would require low-impact development, prevent sprawl and heavily limit up-zoning, and emphasizes preserving green space and protecting wetlands.
"Low Impact Development, prevent sprawl and heavily limit up-zoning"
No public position found on 3 issues
We searched campaign sites, questionnaires, interviews, votes and official actions and did not find a clear stance on: Housing affordability, Crime & policing, Veterans. This is reported as unknown rather than guessed from party affiliation; these issues are excluded from this candidate's match score.
Other issues this candidate has raised
- Data centers — Spoke in favor of the county's data-center ban at the Oct. 6 council meeting and, in the News 6 guide, said hyperscale data centers should not be built in Volusia.