FORT PIERCE \u2013 The clock is ticking down to Friday\u2019s noon deadline if you want to appear as a 2026 candidate for a seat on the Fort Pierce City Commission.<\/p>\n
Incumbents in two of the expiring terms have already qualified to run for re-election. They are Arnold S. Gaines, of 1505 Avenue Q, now representing District 1, and Michael Broderick, of 1127 Granada, an incumbent District 2 commissioner.<\/p>\n
A third person, Jean Eddy Leroy, whose address is redacted from public filings based on a law enforcement exemption, has filed some paperwork for a spot on the District 2 ballot for the single open seat. But the candidacy had not been completed as of late Thursday.<\/p>\n
If you want to run, you must go to the city clerk\u2019s office at Fort Pierce City Hall and complete paperwork before noon that includes proof of identity, residency, creation of a campaign finance account, naming a campaign treasurer and financial disclosures.<\/p>\n
Candidates are required to pay a $25 filing fee and a $381.60 election assessment fee. The assessment fee may be waived if the candidate files an affidavit of financial hardship.<\/p>\n
City elections are nonpartisan and the terms are for four years.<\/p>\n
If enough candidates file from either district, a primary election will be Aug. 18 to narrow the field to two. The general election is slated for Nov. 3, while a primary, if necessary, will be Aug. 18.<\/p>\n
Fort Pierce has two voting districts, each represented by two commissioners.<\/p>\n
The terms of Mayor Linda Hudson and Commissioners Curtis Johnson Jr., District 1, and Chris Dzadovsky, District 2, are not up this year.<\/p>\n