VERO BEACH — With early voting starting this week, residents will choose from eight candidates to fill three open seats on the Vero Beach City Council for the general election.
Those running are Incumbents Aaron Vos and Linda Moore, former council member Brian Heady, former School Board candidate Robert MacCallum, first-time candidate John O’Connor, political newcomer Davis Benedict, former two-term Vero mayor Jay Kramer and former Vero council member Tracey Zudans.
Moore, who previously served as vice-mayor of Vero Beach, and Vos each are running for another term. John Carroll, a current council member, will not seek reelection.
Council members serve two-year terms. The mayor, who is not elected but instead selected by the new council during the first organizational meeting, serves a one-year term.
The candidates participated in several political forums hosted by community organizations such as Let’s Talk Vero, along with the Taxpayers Association of Indian River County and the Indian River Republican Executive Committee.
The key issues discussed at the forums include the extensions of negotiations for Three Corners – a long-awaited project focused on transforming a 38-acre city-owned waterfront property and former power plant into a community hub.
The candidates also discussed whether they would support a stop for the high-speed passenger train Brightline in Vero Beach. Other key topics include the city’s finances and taxes, the low millage rate, the expansion of the Vero Beach Regional Airport and streamlining services with the county to reduce costs.
Early voting
Early voting runs from Monday, October 19 through Saturday, October 31 in Indian River County. The early voting locations are below:
- Sebastian City Hall (1225 Main Street, Sebastian, FL 32958)
- Supervisor of Elections’ office (4375 43rd Avenue, Vero Beach, FL 32967)
- Indian River County Main Library (1600 21st Street, Vero Beach, FL 32960)
- Intergenerational Recreation Center (iG Center), 1590 9th Street SW, Vero Beach, FL 32962
Election Day is Tuesday, Nov. 3. Voters must cast their ballots at their assigned polling location on election day.
More information on early voting can be found on the Indian River County Supervisor of Elections’ website.
About the candidates
Zudans, a former council member, has three main objectives: fighting for accountability, fiscal responsibility, and paying attention to the needs of residents. Zudans is a board member for the Veteran’s Council of Indian River County.
She has also served as a trustee for the Indian River County Hospital District, according to her biography. Zudans was recently honored as a Junior League of Indian River Woman of the Year nominee for 2020, and was awarded “Fiscal Conservative of the Year” by the Taxpayers Association of Indian River County.
Zudans has served as co-president of the St. Edward’s School Parents Association. She also is active in Impact 100, a philanthropic, women-led organization that provides grants throughout Indian River County.
Vos’ priorities include responsible fiscal management, transparent government, thoughtful long-term planning, and preserving the quality of life that makes Vero Beach special. Vos, elected to council in November 2024, is a U.S. Marine Corps veteran and has an extensive engineering and management background, his biography shows.
Vos recently co-chaired the Pioneers to Paradise July 4th Committee and chaired the Community 50-Year Time Capsule Committee to celebrate America’s 250th birthday.
Vos serves as vice chair of the Indian River County Metropolitan Planning Organization (MPO), and as a member of the Indian River County Economic Development Council (EDC). Vos participated in developing the county’s Economic Development Strategic Action Plan, approved by the Board of County Commissioners in 2026.
Kramer’s key priorities include restoring the Indian River Lagoon, retaining and attracting businesses that bring jobs to the county, working on infrastructure and upholding the standard of living in Indian River County.
Kramer served as mayor of Vero Beach from 2010-2011 and 2015-2016. He was also the Republican State Committeeman from 2012-2016, according to his biography.
Kramer has also served on a variety of committees including the Indian River County Republican Executive Committee, the Metropolitan Planning Organization, the Economic Development Council and the Treasure Coast Regional League of Cities.
MacCallum co-owns EXIT Right Realty, a Vero Beach real estate company, his biography shows. MacCallum said he supports Amendment 3 – which includes homestead tax exemptions – and is committed to protecting taxpayers.
MacCallum ran for a school board position in 2024 in Indian River County, but lost.
Brian Heady
Heady is a longtime Vero Beach resident who previously served on the city council. His priorities include fiscal responsibility and an increased public input during city council meetings, according to his biography.
Heady also served on the Vero Beach utility commission and the high-speed rail commission. He has a deep commitment to engaging with the city’s civic processes.
O’Connor has worked as a firefighter and paramedic since 2000 in Indian River County. The lifelong Vero Beach resident served as president of the Professional Firefighters and Paramedics of Indian River County organization for 12 years.
O’Connor is a founding member of the Indian River Firefighters Benevolent Association, where he still serves as a trustee, his biography shows. The organization provides financial support to local charities and students.
O’Connor is the former president of the Vero Velo Bicycle Club and director of the Tour de Vero charity cycling event that raises funds for students.
Benedict, a political newcomer, will focus on objectives including moving forward with the long-awaited Three Corners waterfront development, protecting the Indian River Lagoon, managing the growth of the Vero Beach Regional Airport, maintaining a balanced budget and retaining services, and preserving neighborhoods.
Benedict is a fourth-generation Floridian, 30-year educator and strategic business planner with Aiello Environmental Pest Management in Indian River County. She served on a variety of boards, including the VNA & Hospice Foundation, along with the Surdna Foundation, and Andrus on the Hudson, a nursing home.
Linda Moore
Moore is a former Vero Beach vice-mayor and longtime business owner. Her priorities include saving the Indian River Lagoon, relocating the wastewater treatment plant from the lagoon to the Vero airport, making it easy and affordable for residents to switch from septic-to-sewer and developing Three Corners for all residents.
Moore also served on the Economic Development Zoning Committee and the Three Corners Steering Committee.
Moore, a two-time council member, was first elected to Vero Beach City Council in 2022. She has owned Kilted Mermaid, a local craft beer and wine bar in historic downtown Vero, for 13 years.
Photos by Joshua Kodis
