Party Lines political notebook

 TALLAHASSEE -- The Speaker of the Florida House, Ray Sansom, announced council and committee assignments for members, including Sate Rep. Dorothy L. Hukill (R-Port Orange) as chairwoman of the Military and Local Affairs Policy Committee.

NEW SMYRNA BEACH -- There were several prominent public officials spotted at Friday's visit to the Woman's Club of New Smyrna Beach by Jill Biden, wife of Democratic vice presidential candidate Joe Biden.

Spotted in the overflow crowd of nearly 300 on a steamy Friday afternoon was New Smyrna Beach City Manager John Hagood. Standing with the VIPs in the back room was New Smyrna Beach City Commissioner Lynne Plaskett.

Among the contingent in the security detail was New Smyrna Beach police Sgt. Eugene Griffith.

NEW SMYRNA BEACH -- Early voting for the presidential election as well as a host of local, state and national congressional races started with a bang today with 862 ballots cast at the New Smyrna Beach Library, according to the Volusia County Elections Office.

Overall, 4,241 voters took advantage of early voting on the first day. Early voting runs through Nov. 1, 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. Monday through Saturday.

New Smyrna Beach ranked third among four Volusia library locations where voters cast their votes. New Smyrna Beach had 862 voters.

NEW SMYRNA BEACH -- Vehicle after vehicle pulled up to the street corner on Flagler Avenue on this temperate Sunday afternoon to get their hands on a John McCain-Sarah Palin election sign during the inaugural Uncorked wine- and food-tasting event.

But just as many, if not more of these same signs are being pilfered from people's lawns, say local Republican campaign officials.

PORT ORANGE -- State Rep. Dorothy L. Hukill, R-Port Orange, whose district includes Southeast Volusia, welcomed Lt. Governor Jeff Kottkamp to
Volusia County for the inaugural Volusia Economic Development Summit.

The Sept. 30 Summit, hosted by Hukill, brought together state and local policy makers, economic development experts, and community business leaders to explore ways to expand Volusia's economy.

NEW SMYRNA BEACH – Volusia County Manager James Dinneen will be the guest speaker at the Republican Club of Southeast Volusia County

Republicans need to take care of their incumbents across Florida, including Congressman Tom Feeney, whose district includes Southeast Volusia, a party executive told the Southeast Volusia Republican Club at its April luncheon at the New Smyrna Yacht Club.

We need to focus on getting our incumbents re-elected, getting them funded," said Russell Peck, director of Congressional Affairs for the Republican Club of Florida.