DeSantis-Backed Candidates Vie for School Board Seats in Florida

In a significant political move, Ron DeSantis, Florida's 46th governor since 2019, has endorsed 23 school board candidates across 14 of the state's 67 counties. This strategic involvement in local education politics highlights the growing importance of school boards in shaping educational policies and curriculum.

The focus of this electoral contest is Pinellas County, Florida's 6th most populous county and home to St. Petersburg, the state's 5th largest city. Once considered a swing county, Pinellas has been trending conservative in recent years. The county's school district, ranking 7th largest in Florida, has become a battleground for educational ideologies.

Central to the debate is the concept of "parental rights," a movement that gained momentum during the COVID-19 pandemic and has since expanded to encompass issues of gender identity and systemic racism in education. This aligns with Florida's "Parental Rights in Education" law, passed in 2022, which has sparked national controversy.

The conservative group Moms for Liberty, founded in January 2021, has become a significant player in these elections. In Pinellas County, they've endorsed three challengers: Stacy Geier, Danielle Marolf, and Erika Picard. If elected, these candidates would form a majority on the nine-seat board alongside two current Moms for Liberty-endorsed members.

"He knows who the true conservative is in my race. My values are actually to protect children."

However, not all candidates align with this movement. Katie Blaxberg, a Republican running against Geier, has found herself at odds with Moms for Liberty. Blaxberg expressed concern about the group's tactics, stating, "The misinformation that has been spread by this group of people and the intent to ... place mistrust in our teachers, people are tired of it."

These elections come at a critical time for Florida's education system, the 4th largest in the United States. Public schools are facing significant challenges, including a 1.7% decline in enrollment in the 2020-2021 school year. This trend is forcing districts to consider school closures and manage their real estate holdings, a significant responsibility given that school districts are often among the largest employers and landowners in their communities.

As Florida's over 4,000 public schools navigate these challenges, the outcome of these elections could have far-reaching implications for the state's educational future. With the average Florida school board consisting of 5-7 members, the potential shift in board composition could lead to significant policy changes.

This article was reported as part of the Report for America initiative, a nonprofit program founded in 2017 to support local journalism.