GOP Florida gubernatorial candidate Ron DeSantis visited Franklin Boys Preparatory Academy Tuesday, the second of two school stops as he unveiled his campaign outline for education.
Franklin, a Hillsborough County public middle school, was approved by Superintendent Jeff Eakins and his government relations team.
Concern was raised that a candidate was campaigning on school grounds but according to district spokeswoman Tanya Arja, DeSantis' visit was not a campaign event but rather an attempt to gather information about the school's magnet programs. Earlier in the day, DeSantis visited the Okaloosa STEMM Academy in Valparaiso.
An hour earlier on Tuesday, Democratic lieutenant governor candidate Chris King joined Dist. 62 Rep./Dist. 18 Senate candidate Janet Cruz outside Tampa's Henry B. Plant High School to discuss running mate Andrew Gillum's $1 billion investment in public education. Gillum was in Tallahassee discussing his "Fair Share for Florida's Future" plan to raise salaries of teachers and staff, provide funding for the construction of public schools and expand vocational training opportunities for Florida students and workers.
