Florida school board elections see surge in campaign spending

Florida school board elections are seeing significant financial investment as various groups attempt to influence the ideological direction of local education. In Duval County, District 6 candidates Lindsey Denmark and Clarence James have raised approximately $190,000 combined, making that specific race one of the most expensive school board contests in the state. The Duval County School Board has maintained a conservative majority in recent years, with six of its seven members registered as Republicans.

In a broader statewide effort, the Equality Florida Political Action Committee and the Southern Poverty Law Center Action Fund have announced a $250,000 investment to support candidates they describe as “pro-equality” and “pro-academic freedom.” This funding will support a massive mailer campaign targeting voters in Orange, Sarasota, Seminole, Hillsborough, Palm Beach, Pinellas, and Osceola counties.

The initiative seeks to counter the influence of groups like Moms for Liberty and the political influence of Governor Ron DeSantis. While Moms for Liberty has historically seen high success rates in Florida endorsements, reports indicate the organization has faced internal challenges, and many DeSantis-backed candidates lost in the 2024 primary elections.