Port St. Lucie’s 2026 mayoral race is heating up, and last week Steven Giordano stopped by ARC FL for a candidate interview to share why he’s running and what he believes our city needs most right now.
For Steven, this campaign isn’t about politics as usual. It’s about giving residents a real, grassroots alternative, someone who has lived in Port St. Lucie since 1989, raised his family here, and spent his career protecting this community, first in law enforcement and security, and later as a small business owner and licensed Realtor. In the interview, he made it clear that his campaign is built on one simple idea: city government should answer to the people who live here, not the other way around.
Stronger Oversight of Spending and Development
A central theme of the conversation was accountability. Steven told ARC FL that residents across Port St. Lucie are asking for closer oversight of how the city spends taxpayer money and how it approves new development. As one of the fastest-growing cities in Florida, Port St. Lucie is facing real pressure on its roads, infrastructure, and public services, and Steven believes the city’s growth has to be matched with smarter planning, not rubber-stamped projects that strain neighborhoods and budgets.
The Waste Pro Settlement: A Case Study in Trust
The interview also touched on a topic that’s been on a lot of residents’ minds: the city’s recent Waste Pro settlement. After years of missed garbage pickups and frustration from residents, city leaders reached a settlement, but rather than mailing checks directly to affected residents, the funds are being returned as a property tax credit. That decision hasn’t sat well with everyone, and it’s become something of a flashpoint for the broader conversation about transparency at City Hall.
For Steven, the Waste Pro situation is bigger than trash pickup. It’s an example of why residents feel disconnected from decisions made on their behalf, and why his campaign keeps coming back to the same message: people deserve a seat at the table, clear communication, and leadership that explains its decisions instead of just announcing them.
Looking Ahead to August 18th
With the election set for August 18th, voters are weighing the leadership of current Mayor Shannon Martin against the alternatives in the race. Steven’s pitch is straightforward, he’s not a career politician, he’s a neighbor who has spent nearly two decades serving this community in public safety and business, and he wants to bring that same hands-on, accountable approach to the Mayor’s office.
You can catch the full interview on ARC FL, and stay tuned as the conversation around Port St. Lucie’s future continues in the weeks leading up to the election.
Want to get involved or learn more about Steven’s platform? Reach out through our website, we’d love to hear from you.
Leave a Reply