The recent school board elections in Florida have garnered significant attention due to the outcomes that indicate a shift away from culture war politics. The primary elections saw a majority of voters rejecting candidates endorsed by Governor Ron DeSantis, with 11 out of 23 of his endorsed candidates losing and several others heading to runoffs. This trend was evident in counties like Hillsborough, Pinellas, and Pasco, where incumbents targeted by DeSantis managed to retain their positions despite strong challenges.
In Indian River County, the governor’s hand-picked board member faced defeat, while in St. Lucie County, his efforts to oust an incumbent were unsuccessful. Sarasota County also saw mixed results, with one incumbent targeted by DeSantis winning and another losing. These outcomes suggest a growing resistance to the governor’s influence in school board elections.
The pushback against DeSantis’s endorsements extended beyond the races where he officially intervened. In Orange County, a candidate with ties to Moms for Liberty lost to a progressive Democrat, highlighting a shift towards more liberal candidates. Similarly, in Broward County, known for its Democratic stronghold, two board members appointed by DeSantis failed in their reelection bids. In Polk County, an incumbent board member defeated a challenger associated with a conservative group, indicating a broader rejection of DeSantis’s agenda.
Despite these setbacks, candidates aligned with the DeSantis/Moms for Liberty agenda did have some successes. In Duval County, two out of three supported candidates won board seats, maintaining the board’s Republican majority. In Miami-Dade County, a DeSantis-backed incumbent led the field but was headed to a runoff, creating uncertainty over the board’s majority until November. In Lee County, two out of three candidates endorsed by DeSantis emerged victorious, with the third heading to the general election.
The results of the superintendent races also reflected a mix of outcomes. Former state senator John Legg won the Republican primary for Pasco County superintendent, while incumbent Leon County superintendent Rocky Hanna easily won his Democratic primary. In Citrus County, assistant superintendent Scott Hebert secured the seat held by Sam Himmel for the past 20 years. Jefferson County will see a new superintendent after the incumbent lost in the primary.
Overall, the recent school board elections in Florida have signaled a shift away from divisive culture war politics, with voters opting for candidates who prioritize education over partisan agendas. The outcomes of these elections will likely have a significant impact on the direction of education policy in the state, highlighting the importance of local elections in shaping the future of public education.
