Candidate: Travis Walker

As a citizen of Port St. Lucie, you are your family’s hero.  Every day you get up and work hard to support and protect yourself and your loved ones and to provide the best life.  Your intent to make you and your loved one’s life better is the American Dream.  The idea of falling short of that better life due to job instability, crime and overall quality of life are genuine, real and valid concerns. 

As a husband, father, son, professional business owner and citizen of Port St. Lucie I too face this and I get it.  I can relate to working late into the night in order to make a better life for my family.  I also understand being concerned about my family’s safety and well-being as this amazing City of ours continues to grow.  I envision a business climate that brings the next level of jobs for this generation and future ones, and as a two-time Ironman Triathlon Finisher I understand the need for discipline and commitment to finish well.  

These concerns, goals and vision are the reasons why I am running for City Council, District 3.  As an Eagle Scout and an attorney, I have taken two oaths to serve and protect, so my service on the City Council would be an extension of who I am.  By electing me you would be helping the City put in place a guide to support and protect the life you and your loved ones deserve.  I ask for your support to make our City better and take it to the next level.  I am honored and humbled by your gift of time and energy by considering my candidacy in order to earn your vote.  With your help we can provide the best quality of life for you, your loved ones and all the citizens of Port St. Lucie.

The residents of Port St. Lucie are everyday heroes that I would be honored to help. They work hard, raise children and contribute to our community in so many ways. As an attorney and Eagle Scout I have given two oaths to protect and serve. With these oaths I have wired myself to serve. As the son of an Eagle Scout and the father of a hopeful Eagle Scout I believe public service is an honor and privilege. The Scout Oath includes “to do my duty to God and my country…and to help other people at all times.” This is an Oath I strive to live by.

As a resident of Port St. Lucie since 1996, and a husband, father and small business owner I believe Port St. Lucie is growing into an amazing place to live, work and play. A place with good jobs, safe neighborhoods and business friendly government. As the seventh largest city in the third largest state in the nation the City of Port St. Lucie the City and its citizens would be well served by professionals who have their hearts right for the City. I have seen it grow out of some real challenges and believe I can assist it in leveling up.

The City of Port St. Lucie is doing a phenomenal job managing growth while maintaining a small-town feel. The City was created with many challenges including water and sewer, roads and other infrastructure due to the way it was setup. City Councils and their administrative staffs took head on challenges and hard decisions to make us a “real city.” The City has been honored several times with many awards, and regularly named one of the safest cities to live in, and often the largest safe city. 

The City also faces some major challenges as growth continues to push out west, and property values south of us continue to increase pushing even more growth to our area. Infrastructure continues to be a challenge and paying for infrastructure without adding debt is a continuing challenge. Workforce and educational attainment continue to need to be focuses by leadership. Education attainment leads to a better job market and in turn lower unemployment rates. Balancing workforce requirements with housing has been an increasing test for our leaders. Culture, and maintaining a small-town feel, is also a challenge for the City while also attempting to grow a culture with more diverse cultural and unique opportunities. Creation of a vibrant City Center will need to be a clear focus.

Collaboration on a local, regional and national scale is integral to improve the quality of life in Port St. Lucie. The best ideas on how to improve Port St. Lucie may not be in Port St. Lucie. Leaders, business owners and thought leaders across the country may have innovative and imaginative ways to improve our quality of life. I would like to see more investment of time, energy and money into exploring these opportunities. Some of my best ideas for my firm and family come from attending conferences and talking with new people to hear and collaborate new ideas.  I believe a growth mindset for the city as opposed to a fixed mindset is important. Not thinking we have all the answers is always a best place to start. Also, balancing of sustainability with growth is essential. The City should explore more technological opportunities to solve current and future issues. Balancing the current debt load with expected growth will require consistent focus and believe a balanced approach is necessary. Working on a long-term plan for our City Center and turning it into a real opportunity for private development will require new and innovative thinking and the development of relationships outside of what may currently be in place