SARASOTA COUNTY – Governor Ron DeSantis has put together a so-called ‘target list’ containing names of school board members across the state, including one Sarasota County school board member.
“My initial thought is what a gift from the governor to showcase my good governance and my quality school board work, it’s going to shine a light right on it,” said Sarasota County School Board Member, Tom Edwards.
Nearly 30 conservatives backed by endorsements from Governor DeSantis won their school board races during the 2022 elections. Now, the governor is targeting 14 seats, he hopes to flip in 2024.
“Name calling, threats, and intimidation, like woke and target list are unacceptable behaviors in our public school district, yet our governors bullying track record, extends from Disney to students who wore masks in his presence, LGBTQ families and students, black and brown families and students, CRT, New College, diversity, and now me, this is classic bullying behavior,” said Edwards.
On Tuesday, the governor met with republican officials, including Florida GOP chairman, Christian Ziegler, husband of Bridget Ziegler, who serves as the chairwoman of the Sarasota County school board, and Tina Descovich, a co-founder of the conservative activist group, Moms for Liberty, who tweeted a picture of the meeting.
“We have drawn a very clear line in the sand that says our school system is for educating kids not indoctrinating kids,” said Gov. DeSantis last summer at the Moms For Liberty conference. He has made that point several times, using it as the cornerstone of his education policy.
The governor said those on the ‘target list’ of 14 do not protect parental rights and have failed to protect students from what he calls ‘woke’ ideologies.
“My definition of woke is intelligence, awareness and empathy and I hope those qualities never die here in Florida,” said Edwards.
Edwards, who represents District 3, in the Sarasota School board district, is the remaining lone democrat after DeSantis backed Republicans, Tim Enos and Robyn Marinelli last year, shifting the balance of power from liberal-leaning to conservative.
“I didn’t ever think that running for school board and using my business acumen would throw me in the fray of a culture war and the nasty politics and bullying but I’m glad I’m here, and I’m glad I have the opportunity to protect our students as much as I can in this horrific political climate,” said Edwards.
Other districts targeted include, Brevard, Duval, Hillsborough, Indian River, Miami-Dade, Pinellas and St. Lucie County.
