Florida voters sent a resounding message in Tuesday’s Primary Election: they stand firmly behind Florida’s students, educators, and public schools. By electing pro-public education school board candidates this Primary Election as well as advancing school board candidates endorsed by the Florida Education Association and its local unions to the November General Election, voters reaffirmed their desire for a strong public education system in our state.
“Today’s results prove once again that Floridians want to strengthen, not abandon, their public schools,” said Andrew Spar, President of the Florida Education Association. “For nearly 30 years, anti-public education politicians have systematically disadvantaged the children public schools serve. Lawmakers have forced through anti-worker policies, politicized classrooms, left educators at 50th in national pay for three years running, and diverted billions from underfunded public schools to support Florida’s unaccountable voucher system and the special interests that profit from it, leaving working families and their children to pay the price. Today, voters delivered a clear message: educators, parents, and communities want leaders who put Florida’s students, families, and workers first—not political agendas or billionaire donors. While there is still more work ahead before November, Florida voters are paying close attention and are using their voices to create a brighter future for all children in this state.”
As we look ahead to the General Election, voters will play a pivotal role not only in choosing statewide leaders but also in shaping the future of their communities through key local referenda and constitutional amendments. Every day Floridians want this election to be about who will help us deal with stagnant wages, record inflation, unaffordable health care, and a public education system preparing students for an ever-evolving world, not about the divisive political battles that have been playing out for the past 6 years.
Voters elected the following FEA-endorsed school board candidates across the state, with runoffs and other special circumstances noted:
- ALACHUA: Dr. Sarah Rockwell (District 3)
- BREVARD: Kyle Savage (District 2) [headed to runoff]; Michele McCormack (District 5) [headed to runoff]
- BROWARD: Maura McCarthy Bulman (District 1); Nicole Morst (District 4); Adam Cervera (District 6) [headed to runoff]; Allen Zeman (At-Large District 8)
- DUVAL: Donna Westrich (District 2) [headed to runoff]
- HERNANDO: Dana Pearce (District 1); Susan Duval (District 5) [headed to runoff]
- HILLSBOROUGH: Daniela Simic (District 2) [headed to runoff]; Patricia “Patti” Rendon (District 4) [Elected without opposition]; Karen Perez (District 6) [headed to runoff]
- MANATEE: Sharon Jefferson (District 2) [headed to runoff]
- ORANGE: Melissa Marantes (District 1); Gloria Reina O’Neil (District 2); Susanne Pena (District 3) [headed to runoff]; Angie Gallo (District Chair)
- OSCEOLA: Greg Filak (District 1)
- PALM BEACH: Karen Brill (District 3) [Elected without opposition]; Christina Romelus (District 4) [headed to runoff]; John McGovern (District 6); Edwin Ferguson (District 7) [Elected without opposition]
- PASCO: Megan Harding (District 5)
- PINELLAS: Caprice Edmond (District 7) [Elected without opposition]
- POLK: Victor Sims (District 3) [headed to runoff]; Kay Fields (District 5); Justin Sharpless (District 6); Lisa Miller (District 7) [Elected without opposition]
- SEMINOLE: Kristine Kraus (District 1); Holton Mills (District 2); Autumn Garick (District 5)
- VOLUSIA: Brenda Beery (District 1) [headed to runoff]; Dr. Grace Kellermeier (District 3)
- WASHINGTON: Sabrina Woods (District 2)
The following FEA-endorsed state legislative candidates won in races that were decided in the primary:
- SD16: Fentrice Driskell
- HD 62: Kyandra Darling
- HD 63: Jacqueline Coffie-Leeks
- HD 98: Mitch Rosenwald
For a complete list of FEA endorsements and resources to help make your voice heard, visit feaweb.org/elections.
