Edgewater Mayor Accused of Pushing Campaign Sign Into Woman

Edgewater Mayor Diezel DePew is being accused of pushing a campaign sign into a woman during a dispute at a local voting site last week. DePew was reported to the New Smyrna Beach Police Department, and the complaint was forwarded to the State Attorney's Office for further evaluation. The incident occurred shortly before midnight on Friday, August 7. DePew was at the New Smyrna Beach Regional Library setting up campaign signs the day before early voting began. He himself contacted New Smyrna Beach Police alleging that another individual was moving his campaign signs. According to the complainant, DePew placed a large sign into the ground in front of her before pushing it against her. The two were apparently already engaged in a dispute near a Republican tent. "Is there a reason you put it right in front of her and pushed it against her?" a New Smyrna Beach police officer is heard asking DePew in bodycam footage. "I did not push it against her," DePew responded. Now, the Republican volunteer who alleges DePew pushed the sign against her is moving forward seeking a battery charge. The State Attorney's Office for the 7th Judicial Circuit has yet to decide to pursue such a charge against the incumbent Edgewater mayor. As of now, DePew has not been charged with a crime. On Sunday, DePew released a statement on his Facebook page disputing the accusations made against him. He said a "false police report" had been filed against him, and said he was "lawfully putting up campaign signs". "The three witnesses that viewed this outrageous conduct against me were not interviewed at the scene or still at all," DePew wrote. "I take any allegation involving law enforcement seriously, which is precisely why the facts matter. I will cooperate fully with any appropriate investigation and will provide any relevant evidence and information necessary to establish an accurate account of what occurred." Diezel DePew is currently running for his second term in office as Edgewayer Mayor. He's facing two challengers: Wayne McCloskey and Steven Oleksy. Early voting began in Saturday for Volusia County's local elections.