Candidate: Linda Hudson

A native of Fort Pierce, Florida, Mayor Linda Hudson is a product of St. Lucie County schools, including graduating from Indian River Junior College (now State College). She graduated from the University of Florida with a B.A. in English and History. She spent 25 years in Chicago, Illinois as an association executive, initially with the American Medical Association. She retired in 1994 as a Vice President for the Illinois State Medical Society. After returning to Fort Pierce, Mayor Hudson became a member of the Downtown Farmers Market of Fort Pierce Board, serving as Board Secretary, and also as Chairman for four years. Mayor Hudson has served as a member of the St. Lucie County Library Advisory Board, and President of the Treasure Coast Genealogical Society. Mayor Hudson was appointed to the first Citizens Budget Advisory Committee of the City of Fort Pierce in 2010 and reappointed in 2011. In both years, she served as Secretary for the Committee, and wrote recommendations for the budgets for the City of Fort Pierce and the Fort Pierce Utilities Authority. She was elected Mayor of Fort Pierce in November of 2012 for a four year term, the first female to be elected Mayor of the City of Fort Pierce. Mayor Hudson is immediate past Chair of the Treasure Coast Council of Local Governments, Vice Chair of the Treasure Coast Regional League of Cities, board member, St. Lucie County TPO, the Executive Roundtable, SLC Harbor Advisory Committee, Fort Pierce Utilities Authority, SLC Land Acquisition and Selection Committee, and Ex-officio member of the SLC Chamber of Commerce. (January 10, 2016)