As the August 18 Republican primary approaches, voters in Vero Beach and the wider Indian River County area are gearing up for a pivotal election. Florida’s Congressional District 9 has undergone significant boundary changes during the state’s recent redistricting efforts, transforming it into a geographically vast area that now directly impacts the Treasure Coast. This newly drawn map has shifted the district to lean slightly more conservative, creating a highly competitive primary race to challenge incumbent Democratic Congressman Darren Soto.
The new district spans all or part of seven different counties, taking in suburban and heavily Hispanic areas of Osceola County, covering rural farmlands surrounding Lake Okeechobee and touching the Atlantic Ocean in Vero Beach.
Seven Republican contenders have thrown their hats into the ring, and the race has surprisingly strong ties to our local community. Two of the top-funded candidates either currently reside in or are planning to move to Indian River County to best represent the district.
- Dan Green: A current resident of Vero Beach, Green is a U.S. Navy veteran who was working in the Pentagon during the September 11 attacks. In 2019, he was appointed as the deputy assistant secretary of defense for strategy and force development. Green has raised $1.1 million, bolstered by a $1 million personal loan to his campaign, and carries the backing of several state and local officials.
- Thomas Chalifoux Jr.: A retired Army colonel and businessman, Chalifoux was the 2024 GOP nominee for the district, securing over 42 percent of the vote in the general election. While his current home was drawn out of the district, Chalifoux has announced plans to relocate to a home in Indian River County. He currently leads the fundraising pack with a staggering $3.1 million war chest, heavily fueled by a $2 million personal contribution.
The remainder of the crowded, all-male field brings diverse backgrounds from across Central and South-Central Florida:
- Ben Butler: A dairy and cattle farmer from Lorida who currently serves on the South Florida Water Management District governing board.
- Marcus Carter: An Army veteran from Kissimmee who previously ran for the seat as an independent in 2024.
- Jorge Martinez: A Lake Nona resident, certified public accountant, and Cuban immigrant whose $792,535 campaign fund is primarily self-financed.
- Steve Rance: A U.S. Air Force veteran and Orlando pastor who, like Chalifoux, plans to move into the district if elected.
- Justin Story: A U.S. Marine Corps veteran, former F-18 fighter pilot, and current commercial pilot hailing from St. Cloud.
A unifying theme among the candidates is their broad support for former President Donald Trump and a commitment to moving the America First agenda forward. Beyond national political alignments, local economic struggles—specifically the soaring costs of housing, gas, and groceries—remain central talking points on the campaign trail. The candidates have proposed various conservative solutions to ease inflation, ranging from reducing government regulations and increasing domestic manufacturing to offering extra tax credits for first-time home buyers.
With millions of dollars already injected into the campaigns and the primary date closing in, Indian River County residents find themselves at the geographic and political epicenter of one of Florida’s most closely watched congressional races.
