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Florida Attorney General: Why This Race Matters

April 16, 2026

Florida’s Attorney General is the state’s top law enforcement officer, charged with fighting corruption, protecting consumers, and holding the powerful accountable. That’s what makes the 2026 race between Republican James Uthmeier and Democrat Jose Javier Rodriguez so extraordinary: Uthmeier, the…

Clean sweep: All 5 of VoteWater endorsed candidates won in Tuesday’s primary

August 21, 2026

Last week we reported that VoteWater’s endorsed candidates had done well in the Aug. 18 primary election, with four winning their respective races. Make that five: Late last week Martin County officials confirmed that VoteWater-endorsed Campbell Rich, running for re-election…

(Near) clean sweep for VoteWater endorsed candidates!

August 19, 2026

Four of five candidates endorsed by VoteWater in Florida’s primary election won their races Tuesday, with the fifth headed to an automatic recount. Winners are: Amanda Cochran, Lee County Commissioner District 5: Cochran bested incumbent (and Gov. DeSantis-appointee) Trish Petrosky,…

Primary election day is here: A recap of our endorsements

August 18, 2026

It’s primary election day in Florida! Here’s a reminder of the candidates we’ve endorsed: Amanda Cochran for Lee County Commissioner, District 5 Christopher Collins for Martin County Commissioner, District 2 Sarah Heard for Martin County Commissioner, District 4 Campbell Rich for City of Stuart…

VoteWater endorsement: Christopher Collins, Martin County Commissioner District 2

August 12, 2026

VoteWater, a South Florida clean-water advocacy group, has endorsed Christopher Collins for Martin County Commissioner, District 2. Collins, a former Stuart City Commissioner and Mayor, has been an aggressive and sometimes controversial advocate for cleaner water. Shortly after taking office…

VoteWater endorsement: Merritt Matheson, Stuart City Commission Group III

August 12, 2026

VoteWater, a South Florida clean-water advocacy group, has endorsed Merritt Matheson for Stuart City Commissioner, Group III. “Merritt has been on the front lines of the fight to end damaging discharges from Lake Okeechobee to the St. Lucie River for…

VoteWater endorsement: Sarah Heard, Martin County Commissioner, District 4

August 12, 2026

VoteWater, a South Florida clean-water advocacy group, has endorsed Sarah Heard for Martin County Commissioner, District 4. “For more than 20 years, Sarah Heard has made clean water a top priority,” said VoteWater Executive Director Gil Smart. “She’s been a…

VoteWater endorsement: Campbell Rich, Stuart City Commission, Group I

August 12, 2026

VoteWater, a South Florida clean-water advocacy group, has endorsed Campbell Rich for Stuart City Commissioner, Group I. “Campbell knows that cleaner water depends on people working together,” said VoteWater Executive Director Gil Smart. “The fight to improve water quality and…

VoteWater endorsement: Amanda Cochran, Lee County County Commissioner, District 5

August 12, 2026

VoteWater, a South Florida clean-water advocacy group, has endorsed Amanda Cochran for Lee County Commissioner, District 5. “Growth in Lee County is outpacing infrastructure and threatens wetlands, waterways and the natural beauty so many residents cherish,” said VoteWater Executive Director…

DEEP DIVE: How Florida lawmakers diverted conservation funds to cover routine expenses

August 6, 2026

Despite a failed lawsuit and years of scrutiny, Florida’s Land Acquisition Trust Fund still funds routine agency expenses — even as $750 million meant for conservation sits uncommitted. A DirecTV subscription, 1,000 camouflage baseball caps and a display booth at…

The PAC-to-PAC shell game: How a dollar bill gets from Big Sugar to your legislator

August 3, 2026

Most people assume political giving is simple: a polluting industry gives money to politicians who can help it get what it wants. But often, industry donors avoid giving directly to a campaign and instead give to a politician’s PAC (political…

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