November 3rd, 2025 Democrats of Indian River Newsletter
NO KINGS PROTEST RECAP
On October 18th, more than 3,000 people gathered along State Road 60 in what may be the largest demonstration Indian River County has ever witnessed. It was a resounding display of solidarity and love for democracy; one that will echo for decades.
These gatherings are not only growing in size, but in impact. Mobilizing 3.5 percent of our population (the historic threshold for effective civil resistance) is no longer a distant goal thanks to our partners and all of you who come out to these demonstrations.
You show up because you know this fight matters. No matter what certain tyrants would have you believe, we the people hold the power to drive change through collective action.
While the demonstration was overwhelmingly peaceful and impactful, we’ve also been notified of some tense situations that unfolded. We are and have been working diligently to gather the facts and chart the way forward for future events.
NOVEMBER 4TH ELECTIONS (WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW)
There are two municipal elections happening tomorrow: one in the city of Vero Beach, and the other in Fellsmere. To vote in these elections, you must reside in the city boundaries. Sebastian is not holding an election as Terry McGinn withdrew his candidacy, and county commission elections (unincorporated areas of IRC) will not be held until 2026. If you’d like to learn more, please watch the video below:
Click for Video
CANDIDATE ENDORSEMENTS
The Candidate Committee for the Democratic Executive Committee of Indian River has the following candidate recommendations for next week's election. In Vero Beach, we support the candidacy of Mayor John Cutugno as he has adequately and fairly represented all voters in Vero Beach. We don't recommend a vote for Taylor Dingle (due to his vote against Councilperson Moore in the recent Mom's for Liberty City Council imbroglio) and don't recommend a vote for Brian Heady (due to historical behavior).
In Fellsmere, we support the lone Democrat in the Race for City Council, Inocensia Hernandez (Incumbent), and suggest you only vote for her, and we are silent on the other two Republican candidates - Cesar Gomez and Ben Baker (Incumbent). Please return your mail ballot by the time the polls close tomorrow or come out to vote on November 4th.
ACTION ALERT: HB 133 PUTS OUR KIDS AT RISK
In March, a U.S. appeals court upheld Florida’s ban on long gun purchases by anyone under 21—a law passed after the Parkland tragedy that claimed 17 lives. Now, Florida House Majority Leader Tyler Sirois wants to roll that back with HB 133, lowering the age to 18 and allowing high school students to legally buy assault rifles and carry them without a permit.
Last session, our districts Representative, Robert Brackett, cosponsored this bill and voted for it. This year, it’s back, and it’s been referred to the very subcommittee Brackett serves on. Call Rep. Brackett TODAY [(772) 365-9230] and urge him to reject HB 133. Tell him we remember Parkland. We remember why the age was raised. And we expect him to stand with students, parents, educators, and law enforcement—not against them.
Minimum age laws save lives. Let’s make sure our representatives don’t forget that.
Click for Video
FROM OUR CIVIC COUNCIL
WHEN PEACFUL PROTEST BECOMES A BUDGET EXCUSE
We’ve been tracking Sheriff Eric Flowers’ standoff with the County Commission for a while now. As you may have heard, Flowers is threatening legal action after the commission declined his proposed $12 million budget increase; instead, they settled on an additional $6.8 million, despite the department already receiving over 75% of the county’s property tax revenue. In response, Flowers launched a public campaign accusing the commission of trying to “defund the police.” This led to a special meeting last month, where our civic council members were stunned to hear department heads justify the budget hike by citing widespread protests and a supposed need for more drones, armament, and tactical training.
HELP SHAPE INDIAN RIVER'S FUTURE: JOIN A LOCAL BOARD
Not all local positions require running for office, in fact you could be appointed to a county board this year! If you have experience relevant to any of these positions, we urge you to put in your application as soon as possible.
Florida legislators are expected to vote this October on redoing the census (just five years after the last one), despite the fact that it's traditionally conducted every ten years. Census data shapes our election districts, and a mid-decade redo isn’t just unnecessary, it’s incredibly costly. The GOP may be eager to use taxpayer dollars to eliminate blue districts, but Florida is not Texas. We won’t stand by while our maps are blatantly manipulated.
Email your state representatives to let them know that you oppose mid-decade redistricting. It will only take you a minute using the button below:
County and state elections are coming up in 2026. Running for office is a meaningful way to impact your community. Many local positions are paid, including some insurance benefits and are non-partisan. If you're interested in running, contact us to set up an info session or one-on-one meeting. Getting on the ballot is straightforward, and support is available to help you run a successful campaign. The time to register as a candidate for Fellsmere, Sebastian and Vero Beach City council elections has passed. We will inform you who has filed when the Indian River County SOE site post names.
Become familiar with Democratic candidates who have already declared a run for office:
U.S. Senator: Alex Gould, Tamika Lyles
Florida Governor: Richard Paul Dembinsky, Indony Pierre Jean Baptiste, David Jolly, Donald J. Peterson
Florida Attorney General: Jose Javiar Rodriguez
Commissioner Agriculture: Chase Anderson Romagnano
Get Involved contact the Indian River Candidate Committee through the office or [email protected] for support in your journey.
-Looking To Volunteer, Intern, or Work For a Campaign? | Resume Bank Form
-Bi-Weekly Office Hours | November 10th @ 3 PM - 4 PM EST | Register Here
-So You Want To Run For Office? | November 6th @ 7 PM EST | Register Here
Local Democratic Meetings
DEMOCRATS OF INDIAN RIVER Volunteer with Democrats of Indian River HERE
Democratic Executive Committee (DEC) Meeting Monday, November 17th, 2025 at 5:45pm Vero Beach Main Library Multi-Media Room
Steering Committee Meeting Thursday, November 13th, 2025 at 5pm Online/Zoom
Join the NEW Democratic Club of Indian River event information blast. We're heading up a handful of new promotional efforts to make a greater impact in the Treasure Coast. From coordinating focus groups to hosting entertaining speakers and throwing grand balls, we make it happen and want you to be there.
DWC Luncheon at Vero Beach Yacht Club Saturday, November 8th, 2025 11:30 am
6001 Clubhouse Drive, Vero Beach, Florida 32967 SPEAKER: TREVOR LOOMIS - PRESIDENT & CEO, HABITAT FOR HUMANITY
Non-member guests are welcome to attend for $35, payable by cash or check at the door.
Please RSVP by NOON on Wednesday November 5th to [email protected]
Including your name & meal choice:
DWC Book Group Meeting Friday, December 5th, 2025 2-4 pm
Brackett Library, 6155 College Lane, Vero Beach
Bjorkman Room (to your left when your enter the library)
Indian River State College, Mueller Campus
Book Title: The Fourth Quarter of Your Life: Embracing What Matters Most Author: Matthew Kelly and Allen R. Hunt.
For more information about the DWC Book Group, please contact Rita and Susan at [email protected]
Education Champions Monthly Meeting 2nd Thursday of each month at 1:00 p.m.
Unitarian Universalist Fellowship
Education Champions is a grassroots organization whose mission is to be a positive, proactive force for addressing public education issues on the local, state and national levels.
Join the Treasure Coast LGBTQ+ Democratic Caucus for their next meeting on December 14. We hope to be joined by Grace Linn, who was featured in the short documentary "The ABCs of Book Banning." We will watch the 30 minute film and have a discussion on the book banning taking place in Martin County and nationwide and talk about DeSantis's attempts to make us invisible to society. We'll then change gears and celebrate the holidays with a party of our own.
This meeting will be held at a private home. More info given after Mobilize signup.
