Florida Governor Ron DeSantis (R) faced setbacks in his attempt to influence the state’s education system, as many of his endorsed school board candidates fell short in key races.
On Tuesday, out of the 23 school board candidates supported by DeSantis, 11 appeared to have lost their races, according to reports from the Tampa Bay Times and Florida Politics. Additionally, six races are heading to November runoffs. This contrasts with the 2022 midterms when the majority of DeSantis’s endorsed candidates succeeded in shifting some liberal-leaning school boards to a conservative direction.
DeSantis faced setbacks as many endorsed school board candidates lost key Florida races
In Pinellas County, incumbents Laura Hine and Eileen Long were leading against DeSantis-endorsed challengers, while Hillsborough County incumbents Nadia Combs and Jessica Vaughn seemed to be securing their positions as well, according to Fox 13 News. The Associated Press also noted losses for two DeSantis-appointed school board members in Broward County.
Conversely, two DeSantis-supported candidates secured victories in Duval County, as reported by the Miami Herald. DeSantis spokesperson Jeremy Redfern acknowledged the challenges faced in historically blue districts but framed the Duval County results as a win for students and parents.
Despite the nonpartisan nature of school board elections, political figures and groups, including DeSantis and conservative organizations like Moms for Liberty, have heavily influenced the races. Florida voters will also decide on a referendum in November that could lead to partisan school board contests starting in 2026. This proposed change has sparked debate, with some arguing it will help voters make informed choices, while others believe it will exacerbate divisions.
