Jimmy Glover seeks Sarasota school board District 1 seat

Jimmy Glover is running for Sarasota County School Board District 1 in the Nov. 3 general election. The nonpartisan race pits Glover against Heidi Brandt.

Glover, 56, won approximately 44% of the vote in the Aug. 18 primary, according to WUSF. Asked in our candidate questionnaire why he is running, Glover said: "All four of our children went through Sarasota County public schools, and they had a good experience. … I want every child in Sarasota County to have the same chance my children had."

Candidate information

Age: 56

Neighborhood: Newtown, Sarasota

Family: "My wife, Mydahlia, and I have four children. All four attended Sarasota County public schools, and our youngest graduated this spring," Glover said in our questionnaire.

Education: "I earned a bachelor's degree in Communications from the University of Miami," Glover said in our questionnaire.

Occupation: "I have worked as a flight attendant for United Airlines for 31 years. I often serve as a purser, helping lead the crew and keep the flight running smoothly. I also serve as the unpaid board president of Star Lab, a K–3 literacy program in Newtown," Glover said in our questionnaire.

Party affiliation: Glover said in our questionnaire: "The School Board race is nonpartisan." He is the only registered Democrat in the District 1 race, according to Suncoast Searchlight.

Previous office: "I have not held elected public office. I was appointed to the City of Sarasota's Parks, Recreation and Environmental Protection Advisory Board. The board elected me vice chair. I resigned from the board to run for School Board," Glover said in our questionnaire.

Campaign fundraising: Glover raised more than $118,000 as of the August 2026 primary, more than any other District 1 candidate, according to Suncoast Searchlight.

Experience and public service

Glover said he has lived in Sarasota County for 10 years. This is his first campaign for public office, according to Your Observer. His community roles, according to his campaign, include board member at Friends of the Betty J. Johnson North Sarasota Library, volunteer with the Sarasota African American Cultural Coalition, and mentor with CareerSpring and UnidosNow.

Asked what accomplishments show he can handle the job, Glover said in our questionnaire: "I'm proud to help guide Star Lab's work with young children in Newtown who need support with reading. … At United, I have also been trusted to lead crews and respond to problems over many years."

On the issues

What sets him apart: "Through Star Lab in Newtown, I have worked with young children who need extra support with early reading. … They do not all start with the same resources, and they need adults who understand that," Glover said in our questionnaire.

Mentorship: Asked what expanding mentorship would look like, Glover said in our questionnaire: "I would work with schools and community partners to connect students, especially those with fewer career connections, with adults in fields they want to explore. … We should build on programs that are already working and make sure mentors are prepared and students feel safe."

School vouchers: Glover said he believes vouchers "can coexist" with public education but said the district should lobby Tallahassee lawmakers to restore income restrictions on the voucher program, according to Suncoast Searchlight.

Message to undecided voters: "I'm running to keep the Board focused on student learning, career opportunities and support for teachers and staff. I'll show up, do the work and treat people with respect. Kids come first. Period," Glover said in our questionnaire.