ida’s DeSantis-Endorsed School Board Candidate Wins //
Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis (a Republican) won reelection almost by 20 points. All six school board candidates he supported have also prevailed.
Although school board races have been historically nonpartisan, parents’ outrage at transgender activism and critical race theory has sparked a parental right movement that Republicans support and Democrats oppose. Many of the DeSantis-backed candidates were also supported by Moms for Liberty, a parent rights group.
Tina Descovich, founder of Moms for Liberty, stated that the results tonight proved that 2022 is the Year of the Parent. “We are thrilled to welcome so many new school board members who will put students first and respect parents’ fundamental right to direct the education of their children.”
Descovich stated that Moms for Liberty endorsed 12 candidates, of which two were lost.
DeSantis supported six school board candidates during Tuesday’s runoff elections. All of them won. Moms for Liberty supported 12 candidates. Florida Democrats endorsed 20 candidates before the general election. They scored six wins and 10 loss, with two races not fully tallied.
DeSantis is believed to be the first Florida governor who endorses school board members.
Jacqueline Rosario won her reelection bid for Indian River County. She received endorsements from DeSantis and Moms for Liberty. According to unofficial election results she won with 55.27% vote. She defeated Cindy Gibbs (44.73%), who was endorsed by Charlie Crist, Democratic governor candidate.
Cindy Spray, endorsed DeSantis and Moms for Liberty won with 53.13% according to unofficial results from Manatee County. This defeats Harold Byrd (46.87%).
According to the Tampa Bay Times, Al Hernandez won Pasco County with 65.1%. He received endorsements from DeSantis and Moms For Liberty. He defeated James Washington, a Democrat-supported candidate.
Jamie Haynes, endorsed DeSantis and Moms for Liberty won with 58.5% vote, defeating Democrat-endorsed Albert L. Bouie.
Stephanie Busin also received endorsements from DeSantis and Moms For Liberty. won with just 13 votes in Hendry Country.
Sam Fisher, who DeSantis and Moms for Liberty supported, won her race in Lee County with 51.75% of votes, according unofficial results. She defeated Kathy Fanny, a Democrat-endorsed candidate.
In three other races candidates endorsed and supported by Moms For Liberty beat their Democrat-endorsed rivals.
Stephanie Meyer defeated Brian Martin in Pinellas County. Dawn Peters defeated Keesha Benjaminson. Gene Trent defeated Erin Dunne Brevard Country.
In March, DeSantis signed Parental rights in Education. Opponents infamously called it the “Don’t Say Gay” bill. DeSantis signed the bill to remove Disney World’s special designation as an independent special area. This was seen by many conservatives as a major victory against “woke capitalism.”
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