Daytona Beach Didn’t Tell You: The Push for “Trump County”

A Flagler County homeschool mother has launched a campaign to create “Trump County,” a proposed new jurisdiction carved from Florida’s barrier islands. While the idea is unprecedented in modern Florida politics, it echoes historical secession movements across the United States that reveal both the allure and the difficulty of redrawing political boundaries.

The Proposal: Trump County

Jennifer Herold, a homeschool educator from The Hammock, has begun a petition drive, podcast, and social media campaign to establish Florida’s 68th county. Her plan envisions extracting a 60‑mile stretch of barrier islands from St. Augustine to Ponce Inlet — currently divided among Flagler, Volusia, and St. Johns counties — and renaming it Trump County.

Herold argues that the new county would:

• Provide better representation for coastal residents.

• Address beach erosion and coastal management more effectively.

• Symbolically honor Donald Trump, the first U.S. president to claim Florida as his primary residence.

Historical Parallels in Florida

Florida has a long history of secessionist sentiment:

• Civil War Secession (1861): Florida was the third state to secede from the Union, joining the Confederacy after a convention in Tallahassee voted 62–7 in favor.

• Local Autonomy Movements: Throughout the 20th century, smaller communities debated breaking away from larger counties, though none succeeded. These efforts often arose from disputes over taxation, representation, or resource allocation.

County Secession in the U.S.

Herold’s proposal fits into a broader American tradition of county secession movements:

• Broomfield County, Colorado (2001): The last successful creation of a new county in the continental U.S. was Broomfield, carved from four counties to streamline governance.

• Oregon’s “Greater Idaho” Movement: Several counties have voted to leave Oregon and join Idaho, citing cultural and political divides.

• Buckhead, Georgia: Residents of Atlanta’s wealthy Buckhead neighborhood pushed to secede from the city, though the effort stalled.

• Numerous Proposals Nationwide: From Alabama’s proposed Perdido County to secessionist pushes in Illinois and California, dozens of efforts have emerged, though most fail due to legal and financial barriers.

The Barriers to Success

Creating a new county in Florida would require:

• Legislative Approval: The Florida Legislature must pass a bill authorizing the new county.

• Feasibility Studies: Detailed analysis of population, tax base, and service delivery.

• Infrastructure Planning: Establishing schools, law enforcement, emergency services, and public works.

• Financial Burden: Residents would need to fund these services, likely through higher taxes.

Historically, such movements rarely succeed because the costs outweigh the benefits. Even Broomfield County required decades of lobbying and a unique set of circumstances.

Symbolism vs. Reality

While “Trump County” may never materialize, its significance lies in what it represents:

• Grassroots Frustration: A sense that local government is unresponsive to coastal needs.

• National Branding in Local Politics: Naming a county after Trump underscores how national figures shape local identity.

• Unreported Undercurrents: Daytona Beach media’s silence highlights the gap between official narratives and grassroots activism.

Conclusion

The push for “Trump County” is less about feasibility and more about political symbolism and civic discontent. It joins a long line of secessionist movements in Florida and across the U.S., most of which falter under legal and financial realities. Yet, like past efforts, it reveals a persistent desire among communities to redraw boundaries when they feel unheard — a reminder that local governance remains as contested and dynamic as national politics.

Sources: US TODAY | Daytona Beach Journal