MARTIN COUNTY, Fla. —
James Martin, a lifelong Martin County resident and Coast Guard veteran, has announced his candidacy for Congress, citing rising costs and quality-of-life issues as key reasons for entering the race.
“One, tackle the cost-of-living crisis. Two, clean up our water once and for all. And three, get big money out of politics,” Martin said.
Martin, whose family has lived in the area for four generations, previously worked in the White House for former Vice President Kamala Harris and is a husband and father to two young daughters. He believes federal economic policies are contributing to higher prices for families.
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Congressional Democratic candidate James Martin is prioritizing clean water and affordability in their campaigns to represent Martin County.
“We need to repeal what are, in my view, reckless, blanket tariffs, which are driving up the costs of everything from groceries to household goods,” he said.
Martin credited his opponent, Congressman Brian Mast, with raising awareness about clean waterways but said he would fight to complete Everglades restoration and stop toxic discharges from Lake Okeechobee into the St. Lucie Estuary and Indian River Lagoon.
“You shouldn’t have to wonder how your member of Congress is going to vote on clean water or the environment based on who the president is, who their donors are, and what’s in their stock portfolio,” Martin said. “In my view, Brian Mast has taken several bad votes not only with the environment at large but also when it comes to clean water.”
Clean water is also a top priority for Independent candidate Alex Cooke, a former mayor of Juno Beach, local businessman, and foster parent. Cooke said he wants to end Lake Okeechobee discharges and restore natural water flows to the Everglades.
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Congressional Independent candidate Alex Cooke prioritizing clean water and affordability in their campaigns to represent Martin County.
“We can definitely do a better job controlling the flows to the south and working to better create flows in and out of Lake Okeechobee,” Cooke said. “It’s time to go back to the way nature intended it, with the Everglades being the cleaning system for our waterways.”
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Cooke also emphasized addressing the affordability crisis, including lowering grocery prices by expanding access to locally sourced food.
“I would bring funding back here to help with the affordability crisis, specifically with property insurance. How would I do that? We should expand a sinking fund but at a federal level,” Cooke said.
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Cooke said his experience outside of politics sets him apart from the other candidates.
“Of the three candidates in this race, I am the only one with a real job outside of politics,” Cooke said. “We’re basically talking career politicians. That’s not me. You want something different, you’ve got to look at the game differently. I don’t consider it my career. I consider it an opportunity to fix the way things are going and move on.”
While Martin has never held elected office, he pointed to his military and White House experience as preparation for Congress.