Orange County School Board member Angie Gallo won a convincing victory in the race for school board chair with 59.08% of the vote Tuesday night, according to preliminary election results from the Orange County Supervisor of Elections. 

On the campaign trail, District 1 member Gallo emphasized her commitment to increasing teacher pay and ensuring each student is able to enter the military, college, or the workforce upon graduation. 

“I understand the challenges that we have here in our public schools with declining enrollment — with teacher pay, we’re still dead [last] in the nation,” she said at a July 16 League of Women Voters forum. “I’m a big believer in public schools; I think that public schools create strong communities, and that public schools lead to a strong workforce, a skilled workforce, and that’s what we need here in Orange County.” 

Gallo earned endorsements from both nonpartisan groups and a variety of Democratic organizations and officials, including Democratic Municipal Officials, Rainbow Democrats, state Sen. LaVon Bracy Davis, and outgoing Orange County Mayor Jerry Demings.  

“With two terms of experience in District 1 and high-level leadership roles with the Florida School Boards Association and the Florida PTA, she stands apart from every other candidate,” Demings said in his endorsement. “Angie has the expertise to navigate the current attacks on public education and the passion to fight for our students’ future in Tallahassee.” 

Gallo’s challenger, Orange County School Board District 3 member Alicia Farrant, earned 40.92% of the vote, according to preliminary results available Tuesday night. Her campaign site details herefforts in “remov[ing] pornographic materials from school library shelves,” restoring “phonics-based literacy instruction through the Science of Reading,” and backing “policies that protect fairness and privacy by keeping boys out of girls’ sports and bathrooms.” 

“The City has spoken,” said Farrant in a statement to The Apopka Chief. “Even though I am disappointed, this is what the people wanted. Thankful for the time God has allowed me to be on the school board to speak truth and be a light. I am looking forward to devoting more time to my family and children who are the most important thing to me. God always gets the glory!” 

Farrant earned endorsements from conservative leaders, including Florida Reps. Doug Bankson and Rachel Plakon, as well as a variety of nonpartisan groups. 

“Throughout her campaign, Alicia has shown a willingness to listen to the concerns of law enforcement professionals, parents, teachers, and community members,” read an endorsement from the Florida State Fraternal Order of Police and Fraternal Order of Police District 7. “She recognizes the important role that school resource officers play in protecting our schools and building positive relationships with students. Her commitment to responsible leadership, transparency, accountability, and public safety makes her exceptionally well-qualified to serve on the Orange County School Board.” 

Gallo did not immediately respond to request for comment on the results.  

School board districts 1-3 also received new representation on Tuesday night, with Melissa Lopez Marantes, Gloria Reina O’Neal, and Susanne Peña winning each respective seat. Returning members include Anne Douglas (District 4), Vicki-Elaine Felder (District 5), Stephanie Vanos (District 6) and Melissa Byrd (District 7), who represents Apopka.