Steven Giordano is running for Mayor of Port St. Lucie. A longtime resident who has lived in the city since 1989, Giordano spent about ten years with the St. Lucie County Sheriff’s Office before moving into a high-security role at the region’s nuclear power plant. He now works as a licensed general contractor and local business owner.
Why He’s Running
Giordano said he had no prior interest in politics but decided to run after growing frustrated with what he described as wasteful spending and a lack of accountability under the current administration. He pointed to the number of active construction projects underway in the city and argued that several of them have run significantly over budget. He said the city’s mayoral election, which is nonpartisan and open to all registered voters including independents, will take place August 18.
Growth, Traffic, and Public Safety
Giordano said Port St. Lucie has grown faster than its infrastructure has kept pace with, adding that the city should have proactively planned for population growth years in advance rather than reacting to it. He said he would push for road widening projects, median removal in high-traffic corridors, and closer coordination with the Florida Department of Transportation, specifically citing congestion around St. Lucie West and traffic tied to Mets spring training games and the city’s planned soccer stadium.
On safety, Giordano raised concerns about the number of traffic accidents in the city, pointing in particular to certain roundabouts as problem areas. He said he wants closer coordination between the city and local law enforcement to identify and correct high-accident locations, and said he opposes the use of red light cameras, arguing that traffic enforcement should be handled directly by police officers.
Housing, Homelessness, and Quality of Life
Giordano said many Port St. Lucie families are struggling with housing costs, pointing to a rise in room rentals and homelessness. He proposed building the city’s first homeless shelter, framing it as a rehabilitation-focused facility rather than short-term housing. He also said the city needs more youth programs, sidewalks, and street lighting, and criticized limited weekend bus service for residents who rely on public transportation.
Trade Education and Workforce Development
Giordano said he wants to establish Port St. Lucie’s first trade school, aimed at both youth and adults, to train electricians, plumbers, and elevator technicians, among other skilled trades. He said pairing that training with efforts to attract higher-paying technology sector jobs is central to his economic platform.
Local youth trade programs like Project LIFT are already active on the Treasure Coast, an example of the kind of hands-on training Giordano said he wants to see expanded citywide.
Supporting Local Business and City Workers
Giordano proposed hosting a monthly event, potentially at the Mid Florida Event Center or in Tradition, where local businesses could showcase their services to the public at no cost, eventually building toward a citywide business directory.
He also raised concerns about ongoing contract negotiations between the city and its municipal employee union, saying the city has offered a one-year contract without a raise and proposed switching employee health coverage from Blue Cross Blue Shield to Cigna. Giordano said he supports the union’s position in those negotiations.
Government Transparency
Giordano said he was previously quoted a public records fee he felt was excessive when requesting information from the city. He also criticized the layout of the city’s budget information online, saying it is difficult for residents to locate and understand. He said he would prioritize making budget data easier to find and would add more direct contact tools connecting residents with specific city departments.
Charter Reform, Term Limits, and a Full-Time Mayor
Giordano said he supports reforming the city charter, including a possible shift toward a stronger mayoral role, and said he supports limiting the mayor’s office to two terms.
Giordano said he would treat the mayor’s office as a full-time role rather than a part-time position.
Education and Support for Families
Giordano said he wants to create an online directory on the city’s website connecting families, including those with children who have autism or other special needs, to licensed tutors and support resources. He said he has received endorsements from teachers in the district and wants to engage more directly with educators working in local schools.
His Vision Going Forward
Giordano said he is self-funding his campaign. As an example of potential savings, he pointed to the city’s outsourced trash collection contract, arguing the service could be brought in-house at meaningful cost savings. He said his broader goal is measurable taxpayer savings paired with new local job creation.
Listeners interested in growth and infrastructure issues facing Port St. Lucie can also find related coverage in TreasureCoast.com’s episodes on the Port St. Lucie soccer stadium project and water issues ahead of local elections.
