{"id":422595,"date":"2026-10-08T21:16:26","date_gmt":"2026-10-08T21:16:26","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-fl\/422595\/"},"modified":"2026-10-08T21:16:26","modified_gmt":"2026-10-08T21:16:26","slug":"10-tampa-bay-area-school-board-races-go-to-run-offs-in-the-midterms","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-fl\/422595\/","title":{"rendered":"10 Tampa Bay area school board races go to run offs in the midterms"},"content":{"rendered":"<p>These ten races in Hillsborough, Pinellas, Pasco, Sarasota, Manatee, Polk and Hernando counties all had more than two candidates in the primary election. Now it&#8217;s time to decide who will serve on their school boards. <\/p>\n<p>In Florida&#8217;s non-partisan races such as school board, if no one gets a majority of the vote in the primary, the top two candidates move to the general election, Nov. 3.  <\/p>\n<p>Polk County District 3<\/p>\n<p>District 3 covers Bartow, Mulberry, Bradley Junction, Wahneta, Alturas, Gordonville, and unincorporated areas of south Lakeland and southwest Winter Haven.<\/p>\n<p>    <img decoding=\"async\" class=\"Image\" alt=\"Brown haired woman in light colored blazer \"  width=\"880\" height=\"1034\" loading=\"lazy\" src=\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-fl\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/10\/1791494175_936_.jpeg\"\/><\/p>\n<p>Kate Wallace, 41, is the Director of State Government Affairs for Spectrum. She earned an International Baccalaureate diploma from Bartow Senior High School; a Bachelor of Science in public relations from the University of Florida; and a certificate in nonprofit management from Harvard Kennedy School.<\/p>\n<p>Wallace is the incumbent in district 3. She was appointed by Gov. Ron DeSantis and said she brings 20 years of business, advocacy and education policy experience.<\/p>\n<p>She&#8217;s been endorsed by State Representatives Jennifer Kincart Jonsson, Jennifer Canady, Jon Albert, and Hilary Holley as well as Ryan Petty, Florida State Board of Education Chair and Bill Braswell, Polk County Commissioner.<\/p>\n<p>She told Lakeland Now her top priorities are raising student achievement to ensure more Polk County students have access to a competitive education that prepares them for the 21st-century economy; recruiting and retaining great teachers through modernizing the compensation system and rewarding effectiveness; and empowering parents with more quality options and a stronger voice in their children\u2019s education. <\/p>\n<p>The Republican has more than $78,000 in contributions. <\/p>\n<p>    <img decoding=\"async\" class=\"Image\" alt=\"African American man in blue shirt smiles at camera \"  width=\"880\" height=\"886\" loading=\"lazy\" src=\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-fl\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/10\/1791494175_371_.jpeg\"\/><\/p>\n<p>Victor Sims, 30, is a senior program officer.  His website says he&#8217;s a former foster youth who attended 12 different public schools across Polk County. <\/p>\n<p>He has an Associate of Arts from Polk State College; a bachelor\u2019s degree in psychology from the University of South Florida; a Master of Business Administration from Florida International University; and a law degree from Florida State University.<\/p>\n<p>He said he&#8217;s endorsed by the Polk Education Association PAC, RunforSomething, Equality Florida PAC, and the School Board Integrity Project. <\/p>\n<p>He told Lakeland Now his top priorities are access to quality education, backing, supporting and retaining great teachers and staff and connecting community to schools and students. He said every student deserves the opportunity to succeed, every educator deserves support and respect and every family should have a voice in their child\u2019s education. <\/p>\n<p>The Democrat has nearly $45,000 in contributions.<\/p>\n<p>ALSO READ: <a href=\"https:\/\/www.wusf.org\/politics-issues\/2026-07-28\/meet-the-candidates-for-polk-county-school-board-district-3\" class=\"Link\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\">Meet the candidates for Polk County School Board District 3<\/a><\/p>\n<p>Hillsborough County District 2<\/p>\n<p>District 2 generally covers parts of northwest and central-north Hillsborough County, including areas around Carrollwood, Northdale, Seminole Heights, and Temple Terrace.<\/p>\n<p>Brittany Lyssy, 31, is an attorney and of counsel with the Phillips, Hayden and Labbee law firm. She was registered as NPA until 2017 and then switched to Republican, according to voter records. She has $92,000 in contributions.<\/p>\n<p>    <img decoding=\"async\" class=\"Image\" alt=\"Woman with long brown hair standing in front of a grey background wearing a black top and blue blazer\"  width=\"880\" height=\"587\" loading=\"lazy\" src=\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-fl\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/10\/1791494176_416_.jpeg\"\/><\/p>\n<p>     Brittany Lyssy is running for the District 2 seat on the Hillsborough County School Board<\/p>\n<p>In response to a candidate survey for the <a href=\"https:\/\/www.wusf.org\/2026-voter-guide\" class=\"Link\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\">Florida Public Media Voter Guide<\/a>, Lyssy said the top three issues in the district are academic achievement, fiscal responsibility and the restoration of order and confidence in public schools.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cWe must strengthen reading and math instruction, use tax dollars transparently, and put classrooms first,\u201d she said in the survey. \u201cI would support consistent student discipline, teacher support and retention and strong parental involvement so families are treated as true partners in their child&#8217;s education.\u201d<\/p>\n<p>On a campaign flyer, Lyssy said her experience as a public-schooling parent, lawyer and former City of Tampa Citizens Advisory Budget and Finance Committee member has prepared her to take on the role of a school board member.<\/p>\n<p>Current Hillsborough County District 4 School Board member Patti Rendon endorsed Lyssy\u2019s campaign, alongside Hillsborough County Commissioner Joshua Wostal, the Tampa Police Benevolent Association and the Tampa Firefighters Local 754.<\/p>\n<p>Florida House of Representatives member Danny Alvarez and Florida House candidates Michael Owen and Berny Jacques also endorsed her campaign.<\/p>\n<p>    <img decoding=\"async\" class=\"Image\" alt=\"Brunette woman standing against a beige background wearing a cream top and black blazer\"  width=\"880\" height=\"1168\" loading=\"lazy\" src=\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-fl\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/10\/1791494177_285_.jpeg\"\/><\/p>\n<p>     Daniela Simic is running for the District 2 seat on the Hillsborough County School Board<\/p>\n<p>Daniela Simic, 48, is an account executive with Magic School AI, an educator-based alternative artificial intelligence system for teachers and educators. She is a Democrat and has nearly $80,000 in contributions.<\/p>\n<p>Simic told USF student reporter <a href=\"https:\/\/www.wusf.org\/isabella-oefelein\" class=\"Link\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\">Isabella Oefelein<\/a> she&#8217;s running for school board because she knows how a district is run from both the inside \u2014 as an educator for 25 years and the PTA president at her son\u2019s school \u2014 and the outside through legislation.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cThe school board level of government is kind of that last stop before policies hit your school districts and your teachers and your students, so to me I&#8217;ve fully believed that that local level control is where most change happens,\u201d Simic said.<\/p>\n<p>She said the main challenges in the district are teacher retention, lower enrollment, safety and communication.<\/p>\n<p>The Hillsborough Classroom Teachers Association, Ruth\u2019s List Florida, Florida Education Association, the Hillsborough Society and Florida State Senator Brian Nathan have endorsed Simic\u2019s campaign.<\/p>\n<p>ALSO READ: <a href=\"https:\/\/www.wusf.org\/local-state\/2026-07-27\/hillsborough-county-school-board-candidates-tackle-district-challenges\" class=\"Link\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\">Hillsborough County school board candidates tackle district challenges<\/a><\/p>\n<p>Hillsborough County District 6<\/p>\n<p>Hillsborough County School Board District 6 is an at-large (countywide) seat meaning all registered voters in Hillsborough County can cast a ballot in this race.<\/p>\n<p>    <img decoding=\"async\" class=\"Image\" alt=\"Man with greyish white hair standing against a gray blue background wearing a blue blazer\"  width=\"880\" height=\"1098\" loading=\"lazy\" src=\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-fl\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/10\/1791494177_194_.jpeg\"\/><\/p>\n<p>     Kenneth R. Gay is running for the District 6 seat on the Hillsborough County School Board<\/p>\n<p>Kenneth Gay, 67, is a Republican who brought in more than $37,600 in contributions. He&#8217;s mostly self-funded and does not have public endorsements.<\/p>\n<p>Gay retired from teaching after 39 years in 2022. He told WUSF he still works with the district to prepare new teachers for the classroom. He said this experience has equipped him with a better understanding of how to make a difference as a school board member to advocate for the county as both a teacher and leader.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cI just feel I have it in me,\u201d Gay said. \u201cI have the background. I believe I\u2019ve got a thorough understanding of how education works\u2026and just trying to make a difference.\u201d<\/p>\n<p>Gay said the main challenges he sees in the district are teacher support, parent confidence and budget constraints.<\/p>\n<p>Karen Perez, 62, is the incumbent. She&#8217;s a licensed clinical social worker. She told WUSF her experience with mental health and the board has inspired her to run for reelection.<\/p>\n<p>Perez told WUSF some challenges facing the county are lower enrollment and attendance, student behavior, teacher compensation and student literacy.<\/p>\n<p>She said a new challenge facing enrollment is immigrant families feeling hesitant to send their children to school despite being legal citizens.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cThat&#8217;s a little bit why our enrollment has decreased in Hillsborough County schools, and so you know we&#8217;re kind of bracing for that issue, but that&#8217;s not just here in Hillsborough,\u201d she said.<\/p>\n<p>Perez is a Democrat who has raised more than $51,000 in contributions. Hillsborough County School Board members Lynn Gray and Jessica Vaughn, Alachua County School Board member Sarah Rockwell, and Ruth\u2019s List Florida have endorsed Perez\u2019s campaign, according to campaign finance information.<\/p>\n<p>    <img decoding=\"async\" class=\"Image\" alt=\"Woman standing against a checkered background with long blond hair wearing pearls and black blazer\"  width=\"880\" height=\"294\" loading=\"lazy\" src=\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-fl\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/10\/1791494178_948_.png\"\/><\/p>\n<p>     Karen Perez is running for the District 6 seat on the Hillsborough County School Board<\/p>\n<p>Pinellas County District 3<\/p>\n<p>The District 3 At-Large position runs from Gandy to Fort De Soto, but all Pinellas voters have a say.<\/p>\n<p>    <img decoding=\"async\" class=\"Image\" alt=\"Young man standing outside in front of a brown fence wearing a blue top and black sweater\"  width=\"880\" height=\"880\" loading=\"lazy\" src=\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-fl\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/10\/1791494178_659_.jpeg\"\/><\/p>\n<p>     Curtis Campogni is running for the District 3 seat on the Pinellas County School Board<\/p>\n<p>Curtis Campogni, 42, and his wife adopted two kids, ages 4 and 6, through the Florida foster care system.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cMy wife is a social worker, and my mom is a public school teacher,\u201d Campogni told WUSF. \u201cSo, I\u2019m deeply invested on an emotional level in our schools, and just helping young people in general.\u201d<\/p>\n<p>Professionally, Campogni has worked with at-risk youth in Pinellas and across central Florida for the last 15 years, moving from working in a group home to being a case manager helping guide people to jobs, education and mentors.<\/p>\n<p>In an Instagram post announcing his campaign last August, Campogni said he wanted to \u201cdisrupt the status quo\u201d with his candidacy, which he said is creating change through discomfort.<\/p>\n<p>Campogni is non-party affiliated but was a Democrat until 2018. He has raised more than $17,000 in contributions. PCTA-PESPA endorsed his campaign.<\/p>\n<p>    <img decoding=\"async\" class=\"Image\" alt=\"Blond woman standing with her arms folded against a grey background wearing a pink shirt and grey blazer\"  width=\"880\" height=\"881\" loading=\"lazy\" src=\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-fl\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/10\/1791494179_947_.jpeg\"\/><\/p>\n<p>Dawn Peters, 51, is the incumbent. She was elected to the school board in November 2022. Before taking office, Peters was a self-employed personal trainer, according to her LinkedIn.<\/p>\n<p>In her response to a candidate survey for the <a href=\"https:\/\/www.wusf.org\/2026-voter-guide\" class=\"Link\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\">Florida Public Media Voter Guide<\/a>, she said it\u2019s important to support students in their academic growth, maintain stability and increase teacher and staff pay and support through the budget and advocacy.<\/p>\n<p>She also said education is fundamental to the constitutional republic, adding she is committed to transparency, accountability and responsible governance.<\/p>\n<p>Peters was registered as NPA until 2017, according to voter records. Now, she is a Republican and has been endorsed by Pinellas County Clerk of the Court Ken Burke, Pinellas County Tax Collector Adam Ross and Pinellas County Property Appraiser Mike Twitty.<\/p>\n<p>She&#8217;s raised about $14,000 in contributions. <\/p>\n<p>ALSO READ: <a href=\"https:\/\/www.wusf.org\/local-state\/2026-07-27\/meet-the-candidates-pinellas-county-school-board\" class=\"Link\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\">Meet the candidates: Pinellas County school board<\/a><\/p>\n<p>Sarasota County District 1<\/p>\n<p>School board members in Sarasota County are elected on a county-wide (at-large) basis, meaning all eligible voters in the county participate in District 1 elections, even though the seat represents a specific geographic area.<\/p>\n<p>    <img decoding=\"async\" class=\"Image\" alt=\"Heidi Brandt\"  width=\"880\" height=\"1173\" loading=\"lazy\" src=\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-fl\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/10\/1791494179_232_.jpeg\"\/><\/p>\n<p>Heidi Brandt, 46, is the mother of an elementary student and president of the parent-teacher organization at Southside Elementary. She cited literacy as a top issue and told Suncoast Searchlight she would seek to expand programs like Southside\u2019s \u201cReading Partners,\u201d which pairs young students with volunteer mentors.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cThat would be one thing that I think we could do right off the bat with little funding, and it might start with 10 kids in the school \u2026 and it could grow,\u201d she said.<\/p>\n<p>ALSO READ: <a href=\"https:\/\/www.wusf.org\/politics-issues\/2026-07-27\/three-open-seats-could-change-the-direction-of-the-sarasota-county-school-board\" class=\"Link\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\">Three open seats could change the direction of the Sarasota County school board<\/a><\/p>\n<p>Brandt was a registered Independent until 2017, according to voter records.<br \/>Now, although she is active in Republican politics, Brandt said she disagrees with some of the votes this year by the majority-conservative board, pointing to its resolution reaffirming the district\u2019s willingness to cooperate with Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) and another measure seeking to penalize student protesters who stage walkouts. She said she worried that the rule could be unevenly or unfairly applied.<\/p>\n<p>Brandt was endorsed by the Republican Party of Sarasota County, state Rep. Fiona McFarland, R-Sarasota, and state Sen. Joe Gruters, R-Sarasota. She has raised about $61,000 in contributions.<\/p>\n<p>    <img decoding=\"async\" class=\"Image\" alt=\"Headshot of a bald black man in a white shirt and blue blazer. \"  width=\"880\" height=\"1219\" loading=\"lazy\" src=\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-fl\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/10\/1791494180_872_.jpeg\"\/><\/p>\n<p>     Sarasota School Board Candidate Jimmy Glover<\/p>\n<p>Jimmy Glover, 56, raised his children in the Sarasota County public school system and chairs the board of Star Lab, a private Montessori-style school serving children in kindergarten through third grade. Glover told Suncoast Searchlight he is focused on college and career readiness, and he would work to expand mentorship opportunities for students if elected.<\/p>\n<p>Glover said he believes the school district should lobby Tallahassee lawmakers to put income restrictions back on the school voucher program, saying although he believes vouchers \u201ccan coexist\u201d with public education, he is concerned about the trend of \u201cfamilies who already had their kids in private school and had no intention of ever sending their kids to public school now utiliz[ing] the voucher as a subsidy.\u201d<\/p>\n<p>Glover has raised more than any other candidate in the field, bringing in more than $172,000 in contributions. He was an Independent until 2019 when he became a registered Democrat. The Democratic Party of Sarasota County, Equality Florida and current board members Tom Edwards and Liz Barker endorsed him.<\/p>\n<p>ALSO READ: <a href=\"https:\/\/www.wusf.org\/education\/2026-09-06\/how-sarasota-youth-helped-flip-a-conservative-school-board\" class=\"Link\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\">How Sarasota youth helped flip a conservative school board<\/a><\/p>\n<p>Manatee County District 2<\/p>\n<p>District 2 covers parts of Bradenton, Palmetto, and Ellenton, including much of the urban corridor south of the Manatee River bridge.<\/p>\n<p>    <img decoding=\"async\" class=\"Image\" alt=\"Sharon Jefferson is running for the District 2 seat on the Manatee County School Board\"  width=\"880\" height=\"1057\" loading=\"lazy\" src=\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-fl\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/10\/1791494180_206_.jpeg\"\/><\/p>\n<p>Courtesy Sharon Jefferson<\/p>\n<p>        Sharon Jefferson is running for the District 2 seat on the Manatee County School Board<\/p>\n<p>Sharon Jefferson, 54, is a registered Democrat and currently a civics teacher in the county. Education has been her lifelong work, she told WUSF, and she\u2019s been in the field for more than 26 years.<\/p>\n<p>She decided to run after teaching about the duties and responsibilities of citizens to her students, Jefferson recounted. She always told them, \u201cIf you feel like you can make a difference, then run for office.\u201d<\/p>\n<p>\u201cI began to realize that there\u2019s so much more that I need to do that I still just can\u2019t do,\u201d Jefferson said. \u201cI wanted to reach more people.\u201d<\/p>\n<p>Jefferson started <a href=\"https:\/\/www.facebook.com\/recess4edu\" class=\"Link\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\">RECESS Education<\/a>, a nonprofit organization to help support families at Title 1 schools, and <a href=\"https:\/\/www.facebook.com\/profile.php?id=61554215001288\" class=\"Link\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\">Freedom Leadership Academy<\/a>, a nonprofit to help children&#8217;s parents earn their high school diplomas. She\u2019s been involved with the community through several other means, from being the education chair of the Manatee County branch of the NAACP to being on the Manatee County Children\u2019s Services Advisory Board.<\/p>\n<p>She has been recommended by the <a href=\"https:\/\/manateecountydemocrats.com\/blog-2\/f\/take-back-the-school-board-on-august-18?fbclid=IwY2xjawTO2P1leHRuA2FlbQIxMABicmlkETFySmxjVHJZRmF1Sm9tcE9Jc3J0YwZhcHBfaWQQMjIyMDM5MTc4ODIwMDg5MgABHvKbuKOXn-R-sVQbdmSdizrdUFf8U3Rqw30sUldf5_jihHuLRWyBOZPfgTVh_aem_vG-uQV5n4Ihg1TyW88gRkA\" class=\"Link\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\">Manatee Democratic Party<\/a> and the <a href=\"https:\/\/www.instagram.com\/p\/Da8mGrenxIS\/?utm_source=ig_web_copy_link&amp;igsh=MzRlODBiNWFlZA==\" class=\"Link\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\">Democratic Public Education Caucus of Manasota,<\/a> according to her social media. She&#8217;s raised nearly $12,000 in contributions. <\/p>\n<p>Cindy Spray, 70, told WUSF she wants to keep the momentum of her work on the school board going. Prior to being on the board, she worked in the corporate sector for 40 years. This experience is valuable to the board, she said, for situations like analyzing contracts or dissecting budgets.<\/p>\n<p>    <img decoding=\"async\" class=\"Image\" alt=\"Woman with brown shoulder length hair and glasses wearing a blue shirt\"  width=\"880\" height=\"1127\" loading=\"lazy\" src=\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-fl\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/10\/1791494181_277_.jpeg\"\/><\/p>\n<p>She believes social media is one of the district\u2019s biggest challenges because it creates behavioral issues.<\/p>\n<p>She attributes the district\u2019s improved reading scores to getting a reading coach into every school and <a href=\"https:\/\/www.manateeschools.net\/page\/mentoring-programs\" class=\"Link\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\">mentorship programs<\/a> where volunteers can mentor students who are struggling.<\/p>\n<p>She said targeting early learning in the county was her initiative. Though there\u2019s more work to be done, she added, more schools improved their reading levels during her term.<\/p>\n<p>Spray was registered NPA until 2016 and then became a Republican. She&#8217;s raised more than $40,000 in contributions, including a donation from the <a href=\"https:\/\/www.votemanatee.gov\/local-candidates-and-committees\/\" class=\"Link\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\">Tea Party Manatee Inc,<\/a> a PAC. She\u2019s received thousands of dollars in contributions from businesses ranging from farming to real estate, and even <a href=\"https:\/\/www.votemanatee.gov\/local-candidates-and-committees\/\" class=\"Link\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\">Waste Pro<\/a>.<\/p>\n<p>ALSO READ: <a href=\"https:\/\/www.wusf.org\/local-state\/2026-07-27\/four-candidates-challenge-incumbent-race-manatee-school-board\" class=\"Link\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\">Four candidates challenge an incumbent in the race to be on the Manatee school board<\/a><\/p>\n<p>Manatee School Board District 5<\/p>\n<p>District 5 covers parts of East Manatee County, including Lakewood Ranch.<\/p>\n<p>    <img decoding=\"async\" class=\"Image\" alt=\"Young blond man standing outside in front of trees and the American flag wearing a black top and blazer\"  width=\"880\" height=\"1568\" loading=\"lazy\" src=\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-fl\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/10\/1791494182_646_.jpeg\"\/><\/p>\n<p> courtesy Camden Bedinghaus<\/p>\n<p> Camden Bedinghaus is running for the District 5 seat on the Manatee County School Board<\/p>\n<p>Camden Bedinghaus, 23, graduated from the University of South Florida in May with a bachelor&#8217;s degree in economics.<\/p>\n<p>As someone who just went through the Manatee County school system, he said he hopes to be a voice for his generation on the school board.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cI have the most relevant experience you can have, because I was just in those classrooms that we want to improve,\u201d Bedinghaus told WUSF. \u201cI know the struggles.\u201d<\/p>\n<p>He was the only candidate in the race to qualify by <a href=\"https:\/\/www.voterfocus.com\/CampaignFinance\/pdf_manatee\/doc_2493_20260710171029_Candidate_Petition_Letter.pdf\" class=\"Link\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\">petition<\/a> as opposed to paying a roughly $2,000 qualification fee. He&#8217;s raised nearly $11,000 in contributions.<\/p>\n<p>The registered Republican is the Turning Point USA Manatee County Headquarters director and has actively posted about his admiration for the late political activist Charlie Kirk on <a href=\"https:\/\/www.instagram.com\/reel\/DOghzgDDp2i\/?utm_source=ig_web_copy_link&amp;igsh=MzRlODBiNWFlZA==\" class=\"Link\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\">social media<\/a>.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cMy personal beliefs, yeah, they are conservative, but my ambitions for running are inherently apolitical,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n<p>He has been endorsed by <a href=\"https:\/\/www.facebook.com\/camdenbedinghaus\/posts\/pfbid0saCngecyJFSRYf4Qar4sdnWLQ2bwWtnAgkJn7Ury5UB4kKuYJAoyaLNpt18tp9WJl\" class=\"Link\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\">Manatee Patriots<\/a>, <a href=\"https:\/\/www.facebook.com\/camdenbedinghaus\/posts\/pfbid0J67xGcAn6jeZku6yPMhm2ag4u6SF8H1cK9sgBRzKLSjYSdnENRxnAGPC3La3hR9ql\" class=\"Link\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\">America First Party of Florida<\/a> and <a href=\"https:\/\/www.instagram.com\/p\/Da0X0LDu3L8\/?utm_source=ig_web_copy_link&amp;igsh=MzRlODBiNWFlZA==\" class=\"Link\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\">Stand for Health Freedom<\/a>. While he mostly received individual contributions, the Tea Party of Manatee County and businesses like Vision Source <a href=\"https:\/\/www.votemanatee.gov\/local-candidates-and-committees\/\" class=\"Link\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\">contributed<\/a> to his campaign.<\/p>\n<p>    <img decoding=\"async\" class=\"Image\" alt=\"Man with salt and pepper hair against a grey background wearing a blue suit, light blue shirt and red striped tie\"  width=\"880\" height=\"880\" loading=\"lazy\" src=\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-fl\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/10\/1791494183_366_.jpeg\"\/><\/p>\n<p>SYLWIA OK<\/p>\n<p>\/<\/p>\n<p> courtesy Jonathan Mullis<\/p>\n<p>Jonathan Mullis, 49, is the owner and CEO of <a href=\"http:\/\/www.ptdoctorsfl.com\/about-us\/meet-our-team\/\" class=\"Link\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\">Physical Therapy Doctors<\/a> <a href=\"http:\/\/www.ptdoctorsfl.com\/about-us\/meet-our-team\/\" class=\"Link\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\">of Florida<\/a> in Bradenton. He\u2019s been in Manatee County for the past nine years after living in Boston for two decades.<\/p>\n<p>Mullis is the president of the <a href=\"https:\/\/www.bradentonkiwanis.org\/club-officers\/\" class=\"Link\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\">Bradenton Kiwanis Club<\/a> and a board member of the <a href=\"http:\/\/www.manateetigerbay.org\/board-of-directors-2\/\" class=\"Link\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\">Manatee Tiger Bay Club.<\/a> He said his experience as a small business owner has prepared him for the school board \u2013 from managing budgets to hiring, firing, policies and procedures.<\/p>\n<p>If elected, Mullis said he wants to expand career and technical education and opportunities for students to dual-enroll.<\/p>\n<p>The Democrat has raised about $32,000 in contributions, including from <a href=\"https:\/\/dos.elections.myflorida.com\/committees\/ComDetail.asp?account=88943\" class=\"Link\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\">Knowledge is Power PAC<\/a> and thousands from <a href=\"https:\/\/www.votemanatee.gov\/local-candidates-and-committees\/\" class=\"Link\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\">registered businesses<\/a> like <a href=\"https:\/\/www.votemanatee.gov\/local-candidates-and-committees\/\" class=\"Link\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\">Ford Drywall &amp; Stucco, Inc<\/a>.<\/p>\n<p>ALSO READ: <a href=\"https:\/\/www.wusf.org\/local-state\/2026-07-27\/turning-point-usa-director-volunteer-businessman-compete-manatee-school-board-district-5\" class=\"Link\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\">Turning Point USA director, volunteer, and businessman compete for Manatee school board district 5<\/a><\/p>\n<p>Pasco County District 1<\/p>\n<p>District 1 includes parts of Wesley Chapel and Land O\u2019Lakes. <\/p>\n<p>    <img decoding=\"async\" class=\"Image\" alt=\"A man in a suit and red tie smiles for the camera.\"  width=\"880\" height=\"1320\" loading=\"lazy\" src=\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-fl\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/10\/1791494183_230_.jpeg\"\/><\/p>\n<p>Gino Collura, 40, is a business consultant, University of South Florida-educated behavioral scientist, and one of Gov. Ron DeSantis\u2019 <a href=\"https:\/\/www.flgov.com\/eog\/news\/press\/2025\/governor-ron-desantis-appoints-three-pasco-hernando-state-college-district-board\" class=\"Link\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\">appointees<\/a> to the Pasco-Hernando State College (PHSC) Board of Trustees.<\/p>\n<p>The registered Republican earned endorsements from <a href=\"https:\/\/www.pasco.k12.fl.us\/superintendent\" class=\"Link\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\">Pasco Superintendent<\/a> John Legg and outgoing Pasco sheriff<a href=\"https:\/\/pascosheriff.com\/sheriff-biography\/\" class=\"Link\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\"> Chris Nocco<\/a>.<\/p>\n<p>He&#8217;s raised more than $42,000. Donors include a Dade City well drilling company; New College Dean Miguel Benitez; and Republican state-level and super PACs such as Rep. Brad Yeager\u2019s <a href=\"https:\/\/dos.elections.myflorida.com\/committees\/ComDetail.asp?account=83551\" class=\"Link\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\">re-election campaign committee and Congressman Mike Haridopolos\u2019 Fight for Florida and American Values<\/a>.<\/p>\n<p>However, Collura told WUSF he has a vested, apolitical interest in the job \u2014 he\u2019s a \u201cborn and raised son\u201d of Pasco County public schools and now a parent in the district.<\/p>\n<p>Collura added he intends to prioritize offering competitive teacher pay packages, curbing excessive personal technology use and using threat management technologies to improve school safety.<\/p>\n<p>    <img decoding=\"async\" class=\"Image\" alt=\"A woman in red suit smiles for the camera.\"  width=\"880\" height=\"897\" loading=\"lazy\" src=\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-fl\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/10\/1791494184_734_.jpeg\"\/><\/p>\n<p>Kimberly Coward<\/p>\n<p>\/<\/p>\n<p>Courtesy <\/p>\n<p>Kimberly Coward <\/p>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/kimberlycoward.com\/\" class=\"Link\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\">Kimberly Coward,<\/a> 51, is a former Dade City guidance counselor who recently returned to Pasco County. Campaign contributors include an Orlando college provost, an Atlanta attorney and a Gainesville school counselor. She&#8217;s raised more than $27,600.  <\/p>\n<p>Coward holds an education doctorate and law degree from the University of Florida, and served as a judge at MacDill Air Force Base. <\/p>\n<p>The Democrat did not respond to an interview request with WUSF but wrote in the <a href=\"https:\/\/www.wusf.org\/2026-voter-guide\" class=\"Link\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\">Florida Public Media Voter Guide<\/a> that she supports \u201cdata-driven, fiscally responsible\u201d solutions to teacher pay and declining enrollment.<\/p>\n<p>ALSO READ: <a href=\"https:\/\/www.wusf.org\/education\/2026-07-27\/veterans-teachers-podcasters-constitutionalists-vie-for-pasco-county-school-board-seats\" class=\"Link\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\">Veterans, teachers, podcasters and constitutionalists vie for Pasco County school board seats<\/a><\/p>\n<p>Pasco County District 3<\/p>\n<p>District 3 includes most of New Port Richey and Holiday.<\/p>\n<p>Mollyanna Ward, 50, plans to strengthen local teacher pipelines through partnerships with the <a href=\"https:\/\/www.usf.edu\/education\/for-students\/undergraduate\/teacher-certification\/index.aspx\" class=\"Link\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\">USF College of Education,<\/a> <a href=\"https:\/\/phsc.edu\/academics\/programs\/education\" class=\"Link\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\">PHSC <\/a>and <a href=\"https:\/\/www.pasco.k12.fl.us\/oll_documents\/pdcp\" class=\"Link\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\">alternative certification programs.<\/a> She also listed A.I. threat detection, <a href=\"https:\/\/www.pasco.k12.fl.us\/transportation\/page\/operators\/\" class=\"Link\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\">bus driver recruitment,<\/a> and curriculum oversight as priorities.<\/p>\n<p>    <img decoding=\"async\" class=\"Image\" alt=\"A brunette woman in a navy blue suit smiles in front of an American flag.\"  width=\"880\" height=\"587\" loading=\"lazy\" src=\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-fl\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/10\/1791494185_751_.jpeg\"\/><\/p>\n<p>The Republican has won the backing of Superintendent Dr. John Legg, <a href=\"https:\/\/www.flsenate.gov\/Senators\/s21?pref=full\" class=\"Link\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\">State Sen. John Hooper,<\/a> and <a href=\"https:\/\/www.pascocountyfl.gov\/government\/county_commissioners\/index.php\" class=\"Link\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\">Pasco County Commission<\/a> Chairman Jack Marano.<\/p>\n<p>She&#8217;s raised about $34,000. Her donors include several realtor political advocacy committees as well as Protecting Florida\u2019s Future, a conservative PAC that current Department of Education chief of staff and former Florida legislator <a href=\"https:\/\/www.linkedin.com\/in\/ambermarianodavis\/\" class=\"Link\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\">Amber Mariano Davis<\/a> chairs.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cBook challenges should be handled through a clear, lawful process that respects parents\u2019 rights and age-appropriate standards,\u201d Ward wrote in the <a href=\"https:\/\/www.wusf.org\/2026-voter-guide\" class=\"Link\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\">Florida Public Media Voter Guide<\/a>. \u201cThis is not book banning, despite how the issue is sometimes characterized.\u201d<\/p>\n<p>    <img decoding=\"async\" class=\"Image\" alt=\"An older white man smiles in front of a fence.\"  width=\"880\" height=\"1320\" loading=\"lazy\" src=\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-fl\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/10\/1791494185_408_.jpeg\"\/><\/p>\n<p>Matt Geiger, 54, an educator with 20 years of experience in private, public and parochial schools, is running with a focus on both parental rights and teacher satisfaction. Most recently, he directed a residential soccer academy. He&#8217;s a registered Republican and a Pasco County parent.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cMy top priority is ensuring every child receives a high-quality, academically rigorous education free from ideological indoctrination,\u201d Geiger wrote in a United School Employees of Pasco questionnaire. \u201cWe need to emphasize phonics-based reading, basic math proficiency and American exceptionalism \u2014 not divisive social theories.\u201d<\/p>\n<p>Geiger added he\u2019d support a <a href=\"https:\/\/www.pasco.k12.fl.us\/penny4pasco\/tempindex\" class=\"Link\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\">local-option property tax referendum<\/a> to boost teacher pay, but he sees it as somewhat of a Band-Aid solution to an endemic issue.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cMany teachers feel undervalued due to discipline issues, bureaucratic paperwork, and external pressures,\u201d he wrote in the questionnaire. \u201cThe solution is not just more money but better working conditions.\u201d<\/p>\n<p>He&#8217;s raised nearly $8,000 from a mixture of self-funding and community member contributors.<\/p>\n<p>Hernando County District 5<\/p>\n<p>District 5 primarily covers the greater Brooksville area and its surrounding public school zones.<\/p>\n<p>Kara Champion, 28, is the daughter of Hernando County Commissioner <a href=\"https:\/\/www.hernandocounty.us\/county-government\/board-of-county-commissioners\/districts\/#district-5\" class=\"Link\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\">Steve Champion<\/a>. Her family\u2019s business, American Gun &amp; Pawn, is listed as her primary source of income.<\/p>\n<p>The Republican is a 2020 graduate of UCF. She&#8217;s raised more than $47,000, with $4,000 self-funded and a $1,000 contribution from American Gun &amp; Pawn, her family\u2019s business.<\/p>\n<p>On her campaign Facebook page, Champion <a href=\"https:\/\/www.facebook.com\/KaraChampionForSchoolBoard5\/posts\/pfbid0hSKzDs5f5jZVSLHigMBDpTaUK4Dvhyv8i3dv74WU7niLR25S3a4kuBrHBDCw7qTul\" class=\"Link\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\">wrote<\/a>, \u201cWe all want high-quality education for our children. We don\u2019t want indoctrination or politics.\u201d<\/p>\n<p>ALSO READ: <a href=\"https:\/\/www.wusf.org\/education\/2026-07-27\/three-seats-on-hernando-county-school-board-up-for-election-this-year\" class=\"Link\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\">Three seats on the Hernando County school board are up for election this year<\/a><\/p>\n<p>Susan Duvall, 79, is the incumbent. The registered Democrat was elected to the board in 2014 with 62% of the vote in the run-off election and has defended her seat ever since.<\/p>\n<p>She is a Florida native and attended public schools in Pinellas County before moving to Hernando County in 1969, where she began teaching. She served as the principal of Springstead High School <a href=\"https:\/\/www.tampabay.com\/news\/education\/k12\/new-principals-will-be-at-the-helm-at-five-hernando-schools\/2190942\/\" class=\"Link\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\">for 11 years<\/a> before retiring and making her run for school board.<\/p>\n<p>Her children are graduates of Hernando district schools.<\/p>\n<p>She&#8217;s raised nearly $12,000. <\/p>\n<p>&#8220;As a board member, we&#8217;re looking out for all students,&#8221; she told WUSF, &#8220;Not some of them. All of them.&#8221;<\/p>\n<p>    <img decoding=\"async\" class=\"Image\" alt=\"Collage of older woman with glasses next to a headshot of a younger woman with brown hair. Both smile for the camera \"  width=\"880\" height=\"495\" loading=\"lazy\" src=\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-fl\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/10\/1791494186_212_.jpeg\"\/><\/p>\n<p>Hernando County School District (left photo); Kara Champion&#8217;s Facebook (right)<\/p>\n<p>         The Hernando County School Board District 5 race will go to a runoff between Susan Duval and Kara Champion. <\/p>\n<p>Reporters Nancy Guan, Phoebe Martel, Maria Avlonitis, and Isabella Oefelein contributed to this story.<\/p>\n<p>                                    <script async src=\"\/\/www.instagram.com\/embed.js\"><\/script><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"These ten races in Hillsborough, Pinellas, Pasco, Sarasota, Manatee, Polk and Hernando counties all had more than two&hellip;\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":422596,"comment_status":"","ping_status":"","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[10],"tags":[135,137,136],"class_list":["post-422595","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","category-tampa","tag-tampa","tag-tampa-headlines","tag-tampa-news"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-fl\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/422595","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-fl\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-fl\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-fl\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/2"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-fl\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=422595"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-fl\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/422595\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-fl\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/422596"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-fl\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=422595"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-fl\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=422595"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-fl\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=422595"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}