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 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.”

Said Collins: “Clean water isn’t just a campaign issue in Martin County, it’s the reason we live here. Our estuary defines our way of life, supports our local economy and gives our children the chance to grow up surrounded by wild Florida. It is our role as elected officials to defend these natural resources for future generations.”

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.