STUART — Voters deciding this year’s race for the Stuart City Commission Group II seat will choose between a political newcomer promising fresh ideas and an incumbent with some 20 years of commission experience.

Jeffrey Callahan, a Martin County marine safety officer/emergency medical technician entered the political arena this year to challenge incumbent Jeffrey Krauskopf, who will be seeking his 13th term as a city commissioner.

Voters head to the polls for this year’s general election on Tuesday, but early voting and mail-in ballots already have been cast. Early voting for city residents continues until 4:30 p.m. Friday at the Martin County Supervisor of Elections Office, 135 S.E. Martin Luther King Jr. Blvd. in Stuart.

A six-year Stuart resident, Callahan, 41, said he entered this year’s race for the at-large seat to offer voters a fresh look at city government and to offer new ideas.

“The campaign is going fine,” Callahan said. “I’ve been saying the same thing to every group I speak to. We need affordable housing, environmentally sound decisions and more high-tech and green jobs.”

Krauskopf said resident feedback has been generally happy and appreciative, but he is working to see that sentiment does not translate into complacency at the polls, he said.

A 31-year city resident, Krauskopf first joined the city commission in 1984, holding that seat until he was elected to the Martin County Board of County Commissioners in 1990. He has been re-elected to the city commission continuously since returning there in 1995.

In addition to maintaining a balanced city budget and holding the line on taxes, key issues for the 59-year-old Realtor and property manager include finding incentives to support existing businesses and attracting new ones to the city. He also thinks continued efforts in conservation and cost-cutting are crucial.

Krauskopf said local businesses need relief from increasing taxes and insurance rates that “are putting the pinch” on shop owners.

“I keep telling people, taxes affect everything,” he said.

Martin County Supervisor of Elections Vicki Davis said turnout for early voting, which began Oct. 26, has been “quiet” for the week, with 49 early ballots cast by city voters as of Wednesday afternoon.

JEFFREY KRAUSKOPF

Age: 59

How long city resident: 31 years

Occupation: Realtor/property manager

Key issue: Balanced city budget without tax increase, incentives to support and attract local business, continued environmental conservation

JEFFREY CALLAHAN

Age: 41

How long city resident: 6 years

Occupation: Martin County Marine Safety Officer/EMT

Key issue: Attraction of high-tech and green jobs, creation of more affordable housing, environmental conservation

Tags: government, politics

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