Sherrie Matthews will join the Sebastian City Council after her opponent withdrew from the race on Thursday. Matthews, who faced Terry McGinn in the contest for a one-year term seat, will take the position vacated by Kelly Dixon, who resigned earlier this year.
The election featured four open seats overall. Incumbents Bob McPartlan, Fred Jones, and Chris Nunn ran unchallenged for two-year terms. Ed Dodd is the fifth city council member who is up for re-election in 2026. The city council seats are nonpartisan.
Sherrie Matthews (Candidate for Dixon’s Vacant Seat, 1-Year Term)
Sherrie Matthews has run for Sebastian City Council five times and will assume the one-year term seat following her opponent’s withdrawal. She has dedicated her time to learning city matters and has stayed informed on local issues throughout the years.
She has served as a permanent member of the City’s Planning & Zoning Committee, previously contributed to the Charter Review Committee, and faithfully attends the majority of City Council meetings to stay informed on local issues. She has also volunteered with the Sebastian Exchange Club.
A lifelong resident of Indian River County for nearly 50 years, Matthews raised her family here before relocating to Sebastian upon retirement. Her professional career spanned 35 years with the Indian River County Sheriff’s Office, where she excelled as Accreditation Manager in the Print Shop located within the jail facility.
During her tenure, she earned consistently outstanding performance evaluations and reported directly to the agency’s budget manager, honing her skills in operational efficiency and fiscal oversight.
Bob McPartlan (Unchallenged Incumbent, 2-Year Term)
Bob McPartlan, a U.S. Army veteran who enlisted at age 18 and served as an Explosive Ordnance Disposal Technician rising to the rank of Sergeant, has been a dedicated member of the Sebastian City Council for nearly 14 years, including multiple terms as Mayor. He currently serves as the Mayor of Sebastian.
McPartlan began his career with the Florida Department of Children and Families (DCF) in 2001 as a Child Protective Investigator. He advanced through roles, including Supervisor at the Child Advocacy Center and Program Administrator, before being promoted to Community Development Administrator.
Fred Jones (Unchallenged Incumbent, 2-Year Term)
Fred Jones is a distinguished U.S. Marine Corps veteran and a dedicated public servant who retired after more than 30 years with the Florida Highway Patrol. He previously contributed his expertise to Sebastian’s Charter Review Committee in 2015.
He has been on the city council for approximately five years.
Guided by his motto, “Leading By Example,” Jones has consistently demonstrated unwavering commitment to his community. A longtime resident of Sebastian for over three decades, he and his wife, Carrie, have raised their two children here, fostering deep roots in the area. His active involvement includes organizing and participating in trash pickups, charity events, youth fundraisers, and festive holiday celebrations.
As a passionate volunteer for local nonprofits, Jones mentors Sebastian’s youth, inspiring the next generation through hands-on guidance. Jones is also the former president of the Exchange Club.
Chris Nunn (Unchallenged Incumbent, 2-Year Term)
Christopher Nunn, a dedicated U.S. Navy veteran, has served on the Sebastian City Council since 2020, playing a pivotal role in restoring stability to the community following the 2020 recall. He has served as Vice Mayor and, in August 2025, earned the prestigious Gold Certificate of Excellence from the Florida League of Cities for his commitment to municipal leadership and training.
Nunn is a city council member who has lived in Sebastian for nearly 25 years. He is married to Amber Nunn and has raised seven children in the city.
Beyond his civic duties, Nunn is a passionate mentor to local youth, with 18 years of active involvement in the Boy Scouts and contributions to various other youth organizations, fostering growth and leadership among the next generation.
