2 Democrats vie to unseat Brian Mast
Coast Guard officer James Martin and firefighter Bernard Taylor have high hopes of defeating the five-term congressman.
Two first-time candidates are facing off in the Aug. 18 Democratic primary for U.S. House District 21, a seat held by Republican Brian Mast.
Bernard Taylor, a Palm Beach County firefighter, and James Martin, a U.S. Coast Guard officer from Hobe Sound, both say they have what it takes to beat Mast, who is running for his sixth two-year term in Congress. A third Democrat, Pia Dandiya, switched out of the race when Florida redrew its congressional districts in May.
Editor’s note: With 47,700 votes counted Wednesday, Martin had received 50.38% of the vote and Taylor stood at 49.62%.
The district includes all of St. Lucie and Martin counties and portions of northern Palm Beach County including Tequesta, Jupiter, Jupiter Inlet Colony, Juno Beach, North Palm Beach, Palm Beach Gardens, Palm Beach Shores, and parts of Riviera Beach and West Palm Beach.
In 2024, Mast carried th…