VoteWater has endorsed four candidates running for office in Martin County.

Endorsees include Christopher Collins, Martin County Board of County Commissioners, District 2; Sarah Heard, Martin County Board of County Commissioners, District 4; Campbell Rich, City of Stuart Commission, Group I; and Merritt Matheson, City of Stuart Commission, Group III.

Collins, a former Stuart City Commissioner and Mayor, has been an aggressive and sometimes controversial advocate for cleaner water. Shortly after taking office in 2023 he spoke at a Rivers Coalition rally, saying the City of Stuart should sue the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers to stop damaging discharges from Lake Okeechobee. He was instrumental in the city’s decision to hire an environmental attorney to address water quality issues in the St. Lucie River. More recently he helped draw attention and marshal opposition to a dredging project that was inundating nearby reefs and habitat. 

Collins’ outspoken stance against development, along with his blunt, social-media-heavy approach to campaigning has earned him plenty of critics. Even so, VoteWater Executive Director Gil Smart said Collins is right to forcefully oppose the developers who hold outsized sway over decisions at both the local and state levels.

“Chris knows that what happens on the land directly impacts our waterways,” said Smart. “He may be more of a battering ram than a diplomat, but if elected we’re confident he’ll push back against the ‘Browardization’ of our community, and fight for cleaner water and Martin County’s unique way of life.”

Sarah Heard, who first ran for office in 2002, has long been a steadfast and sometimes lonely vote for conservation on the Board of County Commissioners. “Even when outvoted by growth-friendly commissioners, she held firm against reckless development and the sway of special interests,” said Smart.

During her tenure on the board Heard has often been on the losing end of 4-1 votes, but she said this bolsters her commitment to slow development, cleaner water and low taxes. “I believe in conservation of all things,” she said.

“She has fought for wetlands, for ecosystem and waterway restoration,” said Smart. “She’s consistently opposed land-use and zoning changes that will have an impact on the local environment.

“If re-elected we’re confident she’ll continue to be an independent, determined voice for conservation — and Martin County will be a better place for it,” said Smart.

Campbell Rich is serving his first term on the Stuart City Commission, which included a stint as Mayor. A long-time Martin County resident, he helped found the U.S. Sailing Center of Martin County and has served on numerous boards, commissions and committees including the Indian River Lagoon Council Board of Directors, the Florida League of Cities’ Water and Natural Resources Statewide Policy Board, the Stuart Local Planning Agency and more. He won the Florida League of Cities’ “Home Rule Hero Award” four times.

“Campbell knows cleaner water depends on people working together,” said Smart. “The fight to improve water quality and stop harmful Lake O discharges requires strident advocacy, but it also demands quieter, behind-the-scenes efforts to build coalitions among a range of stakeholders who share the same objective.

“Clean water is a team sport — and Campbell knows how to play the game,” said Smart.

Merritt Matheson, who previously served on the Stuart City Commission, including a stint as the city’s Mayor, represented Stuart as the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers developed the Lake Okeechobee System Operating Manual (LOSOM), providing input as the Corps crafted the new water-control plan. A lifelong Martin County resident, he’s a board member of the Rivers Coalition and co-chair of the Martin County Forever land acquisition program.

In 2022 he helped facilitate a boat trip on the South Fork of the St. Lucie River for officials with the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers and South Florida Water Management District (SFWMD) officials to help water managers better understand the damage done by Lake Okeechobee discharges.

“Merritt has been on the front lines of the fight to end damaging discharges for years,” said Smart. “He understands that Stuart’s waterways are vital to our environment, our economy, and our way of life.”

Headquartered in Stuart, VoteWater is a 501(c)(4) organization which works to inspire Floridians to demand leaders and policies that promote clean water. VoteWater’s sole criteria in issuing endorsements is a candidate’s position on water-related issues.