General Election Voters Guide: Key races in Indian River, St. Lucie, Martin counties

Although the presidential election is the big-ticket item in the Nov. 5 general election, several local races and referendums exist in Indian River, St. Lucie and Martin counties.

TCPalm breaks down the local races voters will see on their ballots. In the coming weeks, additional race previews, analysis and Editorial Board recommendations will be added. Bookmark this page and check back frequently for updates.

TREASURE COAST

Florida Senate District 29

Incumbent Erin Grall, R, faces challenger Randy J. Aldieri, D.

Florida House District 31

Incumbent Gayle Harrell, R, faces challenger Aaron J. Hawkins, D.

Florida House District 34

Incumbent Robert Brackett, R, faces challenger Joseph A. Martinez, D.

Florida House District 84

Incumbent Dana Trabulsy, R, faces challenger Andi Poli, D.

Florida House District 85

Incumbent Toby Overdorf, R, faces challenger Lisa Marie Stortstrom, D.

Florida House District 86

Incumbent John Snyder, R, faces challenger Alberto Hernandez, D.

INDIAN RIVER COUNTY

Fellsmere City Council

Five candidates vie for three open seats. Incumbents Fernando Herrera, Jessica Salgado and Joel Tyson will go against Eric Boissat and Shayla Macias.

Indian River County Commission District 5

Incumbent Laura Moss faces a write-in candidate whose name will not appear on the ballot. She beat challenger Tracey Zudans in the Aug. 20 primary.

Indian River County Hospital District

Three seats are up for election, with a fourth (Seat 3) already decided for Charles Mackett when Jad-Alexander Shalhoub withdrew. Vying for Seat 1 are Wayne Creelman, Gary Druskovich and Allen Jones. Vying for Seat 5 are Karen Deigl and Sheila Gallo. Vying for Seat 7 are William Cooney, Deborah Shellenberger and Michael Weiss.

Indian River County Referendum

Indian River County commissioners voted to ask residents to approve an increase to the county tourist-development tax, also known as the bed tax.

Indian River County School Referendum

Earlier this year, the School Board agreed to ask voters to approve continuing to pay a 1/2-mil property tax for district technology, recruiting high-quality teachers and expanding school safety, security and student wellness.

Indian River County Sheriff

Incumbent Eric Flowers faces a write-in candidate whose name will not appear on the ballot. He defeated Fellsmere Police Chief Keith Touchberry and retired sheriff's Capt. Milo Thornton in the Aug. 20 primary.

Sebastian City Council

Three candidates vie for two open seats. Incumbents Kelly Dixon and Ed Dodd face challenger Damien Gilliams.

Sebastian Referendum

City voters will be asked whether they want to keep city council members at two-year terms or extend them to four-year terms.

Vero Beach City Council

Five candidates are running for three open seats. Incumbents John Carroll and Linda Moore will face challengers Ken Daige, Brian Heady and Aaron Vos. (Val Zudans qualified, but later withdrew from the race.)

Vero Beach Referendums

City Council approved two referendums for voter approval: one to more than double the density of housing downtown and the other to allow the transfer of development rights.

ST. LUCIE COUNTY

Fort Pierce City Commission Seat 1

Incumbent Curtis Johnson faces challenger Reggie Sessions.

Fort Pierce City Commission Seat 2

James A. Taylor and John Joseph Heaning will face off.

Fort Pierce Mayor

Incumbent Linda Hudson faces challenger Uline Daniel.

St. Lucie County Commission District 1

Incumbent Chris Dzadovsky, D, faces challenger James Clasby, R.

St. Lucie County Commission District 3

Erin Lowry faces a write-in candidate whose name will not appear on the ballot. She bested incumbent Linda Bartz in the Aug. 20 primary.

St. Lucie County Commission District 5

Incumbent Cathy Townsend, R, faces challenger Cliff Barnes, D. Townsend defeated Audra Macon in the Republican primary.

St. Lucie County Property Appraiser

Michelle Franklin faces a write-in candidate whose name will not appear on the ballot. Franklin beat Joe James in the Aug. 20 primary.

St. Lucie County School Referendum

Earlier this year, the School Board approved to ask voters to continue a half-percent sales tax to pay for school capital projects.

St. Lucie County Sheriff

Acting Port St. Lucie Police Chief Richard Del Toro, R, who beat Gov. Ron DeSantis' appointee Sheriff Keith Pearson in the primary, will face former St. Lucie deputy Steven Mark Giordano, D.

St. Lucie County Supervisor of Elections

Longtime incumbent Gertrude Walker, D, faces Jennifer Fry, R. Fry beat her Republican challenger George Umansky in the primary by four votes.

St. Lucie County Tax Collector

Incumbent Chris Craft, D, faces challenger Gabby Rothman, R.

MARTIN COUNTY

Martin County Commission, District 1

Eileen Vargas faces a write-in candidate whose name will not appear on the ballot. Vargas ousted six-term incumbent Doug Smith in the Aug. 20 primary.

Martin County Referendum

County voters will be asked whether to approve a half-cent land conservation sales tax.

Sewall's Point Town Commission

Five candidates seek three open seats. Johnny Colson, Frank Fender, Kaija Mayfield, Frank Tidikis and John Tompeck qualified.

This article originally appeared on Treasure Coast Newspapers: Treasure Coast General Election Voters Guide Indian River, St. Lucie, Martin