Flagler County Businessman Donald O'Brien Files for Open House Seat

Prominent Flagler County businessman Donald OBrien became the first candidate to file in the special election to replace state Rep. Travis Hutson, R-Palm Coast, submitting his paperwork to Tallahassee this week. Hutson is running for the Senate seat vacated by former Sen. John Thrasher, R-St. Augustine.

OBrien has been in Palm Coast since 1990. Currently with Hayward Brown, OBrien has long been active in the area, working with Barnett Bank in Volusia and Flagler counties before serving as a senior VP and CFO with Cypress Bank which was based out of Palm Coast. OBrien also was a co-owner of Coast Title Insurance Agency. Still active with the Flagler County Chamber of Commerce, OBrien is a previous chairman of the group.

While he is the first candidate to file for the seat, OBrien could soon have company. Retired Navy Cpt. Dave Sullivan, the chairman of the Flagler County Republican Executive Committee, has expressed interest in running for the seat which represents all of Flagler County and parts of St. Johns and Volusia counties. The special primary has been set for Jan. 27, 2015, with the special election to be held April 7.