MARTIN COUNTY, Fla (CBS12) — Voters will head to the polls Tuesday to decide who will represent them in the race for the open Martin County Commission District 2 seat, a contest that could be decided on Primary Election Day.
Three Republicans — Susan O’Rourke, Althea Wiley, and former Stuart Mayor Christopher “Doc” Collins are running to replace Commissioner Stacey Hetherington, who is not seeking re-election.
Three candidates face off for open Martin County District 2commission seat
Candidates pictured left to right — Susan O’Rourke, AltheaWiley and former Stuart Mayor Christopher “Doc” Collins.
With no Democrats running for the seat, the race is a universal primary, meaning all registered voters who live in District 2 can cast a ballot regardless of party affiliation.
If one candidate receives a majority of the votes on Tuesday, the race will be decided. If no candidate secures a majority, the top two vote-getters will advance to a runoff in November.
Brightline among issues facing next commissioner:
One of the major issues facing the next District 2 commissioner is the future of the proposed Brightline station in Stuart.
The proposed station would bring passenger rail service to the Treasure Coast, connecting the area to Miami, Orlando and eventually Tampa.
Plans have called for a roughly 10,200-square-foot station, a 660-foot platform, parking and additional rail infrastructure. The goal has been to have the station completed by 2029.
In December of 2023 the county and city had both agreed to bring the Brightline station to the area, but the decision shifted after two new commissioners were elected in August of 2024. (WPEC)
However, the project has faced several hurdles as Brightline and Martin County work to secure federal funding and address other concerns surrounding the proposal.
Martin County has sought $69.3 million in federal funding for the project, and the County Commission is expected to have a voice in determining the path forward.
Martin County is partnering with Brightline to request $69.3 million in Federal-State Partnership funding from the Federal Railroad Administration (FRA) to build a Brightline rail station in Stuart. (Martin County)
The station has also been part of Collins’ political history in Stuart. While serving on the Stuart City Commission, Collins and two other commissioners voted to rescind an agreement with Brightline for a downtown Stuart station.
Three candidates seek open seat:
O’Rourke, a former traffic engineer, is one of the three candidates seeking the seat.
Wiley, a Martin County Realtor and author, is also in the race.
Collins entered the race after stepping down as Mayor of Stuart earlier this year. In his April 30 resignation letter, Collins cited the city charter, which prevented him from continuing to serve as mayor while running for a County Commission seat.
The race also drew attention before voters ever began casting ballots after Collins filed a legal challenge seeking to remove O’Rourke from the August primary ballot.
Judge rules Martin Commission candidate O’Rourke can remain on August ballot (wpec)
Collins argued O’Rourke was not legally a Martin County resident when she qualified to run and therefore was not eligible to remain on the ballot.
A judge ultimately ruled O’Rourke could remain in the race.
Judge rules Martin Commission candidate O’Rourke can remain on August ballot. (wpec)
Polls are open Tuesday, Aug. 18 from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m.
CBS12 News will follow the Martin County District 2 race throughout Election Day and bring you the latest results as votes are counted. This is a developing story, check back for updates.