MANATEE COUNTY, FL — Voters in the Nov. 3 general election will decide between incumbent Cindy Spray and challenger Sharon Jefferson in the race for the Manatee County School Board District 2 seat.
They were the top two vote-getters in the crowded Aug. 17 primary, which sent them to the Nov. 3 runoff.
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Spray earned more than 34 percent of the vote in the primary, while Bedinghaus took home nearly 27 percent, according to the Manatee County Supervisor of Elections office.
Three other candidates in the race, James T. Golden, Margi Nanney and JT White, earned about 13 percent, 19 percent and nearly 7 percent of the vote, respectively.
District 2 represents parts of Bradenton, Palmetto and Ellenton.
Patch sent a questionnaire to both candidates. Below are Spray's unedited responses, including unanswered questions.
- Name: Cindy Spray
- Office Sought: School Board District 2 Re-Election
- Political Party Affiliation: It's a nonpartisan seat
- Age: n/a
- City or Town of Residence: Bradenton
- Education:
- Occupation: Retired from PepsiCo
- Family Background:
- Does anyone in your family work in politics or government? No
- Previous public office, appointive or elective: State Committeewoman of the Republican Party of Manatee County
- Campaign website and social media: Cindy Spray For School Board Facebook
- Why are you seeking this office? To continue the momentum in getting our students and education up to state standards!
- What sets you apart from the other candidates seeking this post? I have been involved with our community supporting our foster care network. I have built relationships with community leaders to support our district in working with them to help our future leaders in a positive way to ensure our communities are ready to hire our young adults.
- What issues do you intend to address during your campaign? Ensuring our teachers and students have a safe environment throughout their journey with our schools while providing them with curriculum that excels them to achieve their goals.
- What accomplishments in your past would you cite as evidence you can handle this job? As the current chair and serving on the board, we have taken our prekindergarten and kindergarten students up 15% in reading achievements w
- What is the best advice anyone ever gave you?
- Is there anything else you would like voters to know about yourself and your positions?