1365 Bayshore Dr., Fort Pierce

Age: 67

Occupation: Real estate company owner/broker for 22 years; owner of business consulting firm

Official endorsements: TC Palm Editorial Board, Friends of State Rep. Dana Trabulsy

Campaign website: donnabenton4fortpierce.com

Any family connections with city staff? No

Political affiliation: Election is non-partisan

District 2 resident: since 1981

By Kathy Jessup

For Hometown News

FORT PIERCE — Donna Benton says as a long-time, local real estate owner/broker, her job is to “sell Fort Pierce on a daily basis.”

According to Benton, the product needs improvement.

“Twelve years ago, Fort Pierce had such a good reputation. Then, the city was pristine. I’ve seen it go downhill consistently. Look at what’s happened in the last year—our deteriorating neighborhoods, crime has increased and our taxes have gone up and we don’t have anything to show for it.”

Benton’s husband, Robert, was Fort Pierce mayor from 1996-2012.

Benton calls the 2024 arrest of former city manager Nicholas Mimms on charges of bid tampering and official misconduct and the July arrest of former city commissioner James Taylor III for online solicitation of a minor as “the most important reason I’m running.”

“In order for Fort Pierce to change its reputation, we have to have top-notch integrity at city hall, from the (commission) dais to every city department. We’ve had a time over the last 12 years or so that we haven’t held people to the highest standards.”

Benton ran for Fort Pierce mayor in 2020 and lost to incumbent Linda Hudson. Benton said her husband told her then that she could be more impactful as a city commissioner than mayor.

“I had a grip on what was transpiring then. I could see there were a lot of disconnects because I was going into the building department, the clerk’s office, code enforcement, planning department at least once a week. I had people telling me about Nick (Mimms) and the nonprofits.”

Groups like Lincoln Park Young Professionals and Incubate Neighborhood Center are being scrutinized for leases they were awarded by the city and their accounting for grant funding they received.

Benton said her experience in real estate gives her a background to help make good decisions about future development in Fort Pierce. It’s also shown her what she says are the weak links in city staff and processes.

“Development is coming to Fort Pierce and we have to be able to set the direction for it. The commission has consistently voted to change zoning for higher density and taller heights. We gave away waterfront property owned by the taxpayers for King’s Landing that probably is worth $20 million. They have no understanding of the value of real estate. I want to bring some of my experience to the table so we don’t sell ourselves short.”

Benton said her other top priorities will include creating a “more customer friendly experience at city hall,” cleaning up the downtown and city-owned properties, improving public infrastructure prior to new development and improving and expanding housing.

“You need to bring in quality housing if you want to attract quality jobs.”

She wants to address downtown homeless issues and manage growth to increase the tax base, lower taxes and “maintain the charm and history of Fort Pierce.”

“I’m not looking to make this position a career,” Benton said. “I’m hoping people can see I’m vested in Fort Pierce and that I have a desire to maintain the charm and history of Fort Pierce and capitalize on the fact that we’re a neat coastal town.”