As Gov. Ron DeSantis endorses a roster of conservative school-board candidates, Florida Democratic Party Chairman Manny Diaz on Monday announced 18 candidates that he’s backing in the nonpartisan elections in 13 counties.
In Alachua County, Diaz endorsed candidates Sarah Rockwell, Prescott Cowles, Diyonne McGraw and Tina Certain.
In Hillsborough County, Diaz supported Damaris Allen and Karen Perez.
In Volusia County, Diaz endorsed candidates Ruben Colon and Justin Kennedy.
Diaz also backed Kimberly Hough in Brevard County, Ray Guillory in Escambia County, Cindy Gibbs in Indian River County, Gwynetta Gittens in Lee County, Maribel Balbin in Miami-Dade County, Teresa Castillo in Osceola County, Brian Martin in Pinellas County, Sara Estelle Jones in Polk County, Gregory Seltzer in Santa Rosa County and Lauren Townsend Abell in St. Johns County.
DeSantis has endorsed nearly 30 school-board hopefuls that he calls “pro-parent, student-first” candidates. Diaz accused the governor of turning school-board elections into “new political battlegrounds.”
Democratic gubernatorial candidate Charlie Crist also announced endorsements of school-board candidates last month.
