Doug Bankson

Editor’s note: After many contact attempts through email, phone call and text, OCN did not receive a response from Bankson.

Age: 62

Email address: dougbanksoncampaign@electioneeringconsulting.com

Registered political party: Republican 

Where he lives: Apopka  

Where he works: Founder and Senior Pastor of Victory Church World Outreach Center in Apopka, Florida

Prior work experience: Youth pastor for Cornerstone World Outreach located in Sioux City, Iowa

Prior political experience: Elected to the Florida House of Representatives in 2022, reelected subsequently

The platform he’s running on: According to his website, his platform includes addressing the rising costs of living, securing educational opportunities for all children equally, attracting the best and the brightest through economic development, guarding our local environment, supporting first responders and protecting the rights of parents to raise their children according to their conscience. 

Why he is running: According to Bankson’s “Why I’m running” page on his website, he is running for re-election because his life has been defined by service, leadership and responsibility. Motivated by concern for Florida’s future and the well-being of the next generation, his website says he believes families are facing rising costs, housing struggles, government overreach and growing threats to parental rights. He sees this moment as an opportunity to restore common sense, fiscal responsibility and a government that truly serves the people. Above all, he is running to protect Florida’s children and continue being a strong voice for freedom and community values in Tallahassee.

Summary of campaign finance report: Raised a total of $31,042.05 and spent a total of $7,544.36

Summary of sponsored bills and votes, via BillTrack50

Endorsements: 

Fraternal Order of Police

Veterans for America First

Florida Family Action

Florida Realtors

Central Florida Hospitality and Lodging Association

West Orange Political Alliance​

Stand for Health Freedom

Conservative Ministers of Orange County

Christian Patriots of Central Florida

Personhood Florida – ProLife PAC

Republican Liberty Caucus Florida

Florida Republican Assembly Orange County

Link to their website: Doug Bankson

Fun fact about the candidate: According to the about me page on his website, he is an accomplished singer/songwriter as well as a published author and an instrument-rated pilot. 

Author

Megan is co-founder and editor-in-chief of Oviedo Community News, the only independent news source for Greater Oviedo and Winter Springs. She oversees editorial content, policy and staff. She attends meetings, sends out the e-newsletter and curates conversations in the community to understand the information gaps that OCN needs to fill. She also works to create partnerships that can strengthen the bond between community and newsroom.

She has served as an award-winning community journalist for more than 20 years, including as associate editor for the East Orlando Sun and a reporter for the Seminole Voice, the Winter Park-Maitland Observer and Orlando Magazine.
In 2024, Megan was named Editor of the Year by the Society for Professional Journalism. With the Central Florida Foundation and Central Florida Public Media, she co-found the News Collaborative of Central Florida, a collective of independent local news outlets and aligned partners working toward a more informed and engaged Central Florida.
She served as treasurer for the Florida Press Club for seven years and has won awards from the Institute for Nonprofit News, the Florida Press Association and the Society of Professional Journalism. Megan holds a bachelor’s degree in journalism from the Perley Isaac Reed School of Journalism (now called the Reed College of Media) at West Virginia University.

Megan also loves yoga, running and playing board games with her family.