INDIAN RIVER COUNTY — Jennifer Pippin, a Republican and longtime parental-rights advocate, defeated Democrat Robbie Hardingham III on Tuesday to win the open District 2 seat on the Indian River County Board of County Commissioners.
Results showed Pippin with 45,235 votes, or 59.50 percent. Hardingham received 30,544 votes, or 40.18 percent. A write-in candidate collected 244 votes, or 0.32 percent.
Pippin’s total included 15,130 Election Day ballots, 19,930 early votes and 10,175 vote-by-mail ballots. Hardingham’s support broke down as 7,019 Election Day votes, 11,522 early votes and 12,003 vote-by-mail ballots.
The seat opened after longtime Commissioner Joe Flescher chose not to seek another term. Flescher, first elected in 2006 and previously known as “Deputy Joe” during his years with the Indian River County Sheriff’s Office, had served nearly two decades on the board. County commissioners serve four-year terms and are elected countywide, though candidates must live in the district they represent.
Pippin, a Sebastian resident and CEO of a property management company, previously worked in an orthopedic practice and outpatient surgical center and in the operating room at Indian River Medical Center. A graduate of Martin County High School and Indian River State College, she has lived in the county with her husband of 19 years and their two children.
She served as a founding chapter chair of Moms for Liberty from 2020 to 2025 and as its legislative chair, and earlier as president of the Vero Beach Elementary PTA. She has also held roles on local and state education committees and with the Republican Executive Committee. On her campaign website, Pippin listed priorities that include managed growth, transparent spending of taxpayer dollars, infrastructure decisions that protect the environment and residents’ costs, and full support for law enforcement and first responders. “The same accountability I brought to our schools, I am bringing to county government,” she said.
Pippin advanced to the general election after winning the Aug. 18 Republican primary over Sebastian City Council member Bob McPartlan and Brooks Robinson. Hardingham faced no primary opposition. Results remain unofficial pending certification by the Supervisor of Elections.
