Sarasota County voters will pick between Jimmy Glover and Heidi Brandt on Tuesday, Nov. 3, in a runoff for the School Board District 1 seat that Bridget Ziegler is leaving.

Ziegler, a co-founder of Moms for Liberty who served three terms on the board starting in 2014, did not seek re-election, according to WUSF. The winner will join a five-member board that oversees the district's budget, staffing and schools at a time when declining enrollment and budget pressures are driving difficult choices.

Neither candidate has held public office before.

How the runoff happened

Three candidates ran in the Aug. 18 primary. Glover led with 43,772 votes, or about 43.53%. Brandt earned 31,898 votes, about 31.72%. Teresa DeWitt finished third with 24,895 votes, about 24.76%, according to Your Observer's primary night results. Because no one cleared 50%, the top two advanced to the Nov. 3 general election, Patch reported.

The race is nonpartisan. All registered Sarasota County voters may vote on the District 1 seat regardless of party affiliation, according to the Florida Tribune's voting guide.

Who is Jimmy Glover

Glover, 56, lives in the Newtown area and has worked as a flight attendant with United Airlines for 31 years, according to Your Observer. He also serves as a board member of Star Lab, a small nonprofit charter school in Newtown.

He said his family moved to the district because of its A rating and so his children could attend Booker High School's Visual and Performing Arts program. His top policy priorities are the district's budget and teacher morale and pay. He said the district does not have a budget problem so much as a priority problem at the state level, where education is not being prioritized.

Glover said he wants a line-by-line audit of district spending before any teacher cuts.

Who is Heidi Brandt

Brandt, 46, is a Republican and stay-at-home parent who lives in the city of Sarasota, according to Your Observer. She is vice president of the Republican Women's Club of Sarasota, president of Southside Elementary's parent-teacher organization and incoming president of the Southside School Foundation for the Arts.

She described herself as a conservative Republican but said the board has gone "way off track" with politics. Her top priorities are bridging the literacy gap and attracting and retaining students and families. She said she hopes to offer what would be the only conservative voice on the board.

What the board faces

The district has been grappling with budget pressures tied to declining enrollment. At a workshop earlier in 2026, Superintendent Terry Connor said staffing levels need to be realigned with current student enrollment as more families choose charter, private or alternative school options, WWSB reported.

How to vote

Polls are open from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. on Nov. 3. Voters must go to their assigned precinct and bring a photo ID with a signature. Anyone in line by 7 p.m. can still cast a ballot. Results will be posted on the Sarasota County Supervisor of Elections website after polls close.