Fort Pierce officially sets special election to replace arrested Commissioner James Taylor
Election details
Election day will be Nov. 4, with a runoff set for Jan. 13, if one is necessary. That runoff date is one week earlier than it was in initial plans presented to commissioners following Taylor's arrest.
The election will only be open to voters from the city's District 2, which Taylor previously represented. In Fort Pierce, only the mayor is elected by voters from both districts. Candidate qualifying begins at noon, Aug. 18 and ends at noon, Aug. 22. Candidates must have lived in the district for at least two years.
Commissioners agreed to hold the election as normal, with all precincts in District 2 open on election day and early voting at the St. Lucie County Supervisor of Elections office, 4132 Okeechobee Road. While that location is not in District 2, City Clerk Linda Cox said it is directly across the street from part of District 2. Hosting it there would be easier and less costly than finding a location within District 2 that is willing to host a precinct for eight days, Cox said.
Early voting is to run from Oct. 25 to Nov. 1. It is yet to be determined whether the runoff, if it becomes necessary, will have an early voting period, Cox said.
The winning candidate would serve the remaining three years left by Taylor, joining Commissioner Michael Broderick in representing District 2. The next election for a full four-year term would be held in 2028. Each of the city's two districts is represented by two commissioners. District 2 includes areas within city limits that are east of U.S. Highway 1, along with areas that are south of Georgia Avenue and east of 13th Street, areas that are south of Okeechobee Road and west of 41st Street and all areas south of Virginia Avenue.
Potential candidates
At least one candidate has already announced intentions to run.
Donna Benton — real estate broker, former mayoral candidate and wife of former City Commissioner and Mayor Bob Benton — plans to run, she told TCPalm following a July 28 special City Commission meeting where the special election was discussed.
Benton last ran for office in 2020, challenging incumbent Mayor Linda Hudson. Hudson defeated her with nearly 53% of the vote.
Another possible candidate is John Heaning, a retired Navy veteran and Realtor who ran unsuccessfully for the same District 2 seat in November. He told TCPalm after the July 28 meeting that he remains undecided about seeking the seat.
Jeremiah Johnson, the former city commissioner who held the seat before Taylor, said he would not be running in this race. Johnson was first elected in 2016 and opted not to seek reelection in 2024.
Until the seat is filled, the City Commission will have just four members. Votes that split 2-2 will fail, which may become critical as the city faces key decisions on the budget, the performance of City Manager Richard Chess and the hiring of a new police chief.
More: Candidates considering runs, commissioners facing split votes after Taylor resignation
More: Fort Pierce City Commission seat vacated by James Taylor may sit empty until 2026
Wicker Perlis is TCPalm's Watchdog Reporter for St. Lucie County. You can reach him at wicker.perlis@tcpalm.com.
This article originally appeared on Treasure Coast Newspapers: James Taylor replacement special election set in Fort Pierce, Florida
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