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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…

VoteWater endorses 4 in Martin County/City of Stuart races

July 31, 2026

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…

Big Sugar is sweet on Uthmeier

July 23, 2026

One of Florida’s most powerful special interests is pouring some sugar on Attorney General James Uthmeier. State campaign finance records show that U.S. Sugar has donated $50,000 to Uthmeier’s “Friends of James Uthmeier” political action committee twice so far this year:…

SFWMD budget crunch: What does it mean for Everglades restoration?

July 16, 2026

Last week’s South Florida Water Management District Governing Board meeting featured a discussion about the upcoming budget that suggested the district is being stretched thin — and that could have ramifications for Everglades restoration. The district, which serves some 9…

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