Former St. Petersburg Mayor Rick Baker is throwing his weight behind former Pinellas County School Board member Nancy Bostock in her bid to return to the office.
Bostock is seeking the District 6 seat, currently held by Stephanie Meyer, who has also endorsed Bostock as her successor.
“It is often said that our children are the future. I believe that completely, and I am comfortable with trusting that future to Nancy Bostock,” Baker said. “She is a great public servant, and I am honored to endorse her.”
Baker served as St. Pete Mayor from 2001 and 2010. He sought office again in 2017, but lost in a runoff election to now-former Mayor Rick Kriseman.
Bostock called the former Mayor’s support an honor.
“Rick has long been a thoughtful leader who understands how important strong schools are to the success of our community and our economy,” Bostock said. “We know that our children are our future and that our schools must prepare them to be successful by always putting their interests first. As your next School Board member, I will make each decision with this as my focus.”
Bostock previously served on the School Board from 1998 until 2008, then was elected to the Pinellas County Commission in 2008, where she served one term.
She will officially kick off her campaign on Tuesday, March 24, at the OCC Roadhouse in Clearwater. The host committee includes several prominent backers, most Republicans, including several Pinellas County Commissioners, current and former School Board members, Tax Collector Adam Ross, Property Appraiser Mike Twitty, former St. Pete City Council member Ed Montanari and dozens of others.
Bostock, who announced her campaign in January, will focus her campaign on maximizing student outcomes, providing transparency for parents and ensuring resources are directed toward classrooms.
She previously earned support earlier this month from a majority of the Pinellas County Commission, including Chair Dave Eggers, Vice Chair Chris Latvala and Commissioners Vince Nowicki, Chris Scherer and Brian Scott, all Republicans. Commissioners Kathleen Peters, a Republican, and Rene Flowers, a Democrat and former School Board member, have not yet endorsed in the race.
She also landed support from incumbent School Board member Dawn Peters and from former School Board members Lucille Casey, Carol Cook, Ken Peluso and Ron Walker.
A lifelong Pinellas County resident, Bostock attended Clearwater High School. She earned a bachelor’s degree in history from the University of Florida and a master’s degree in education from the University of South Florida. She serves as President and CEO of Chemical Standard Laboratory, a company that produces a line of specialty chemical standards.
