Governor Ron DeSantis took an unusual move by giving an endorsement for the non-partisan Lee County school board race.
DeSantis publicly endorsed Armor Persons and Sam Fisher in July for a spot on the Lee County school board. And in August a committee that supports the Governor, Friends of Ron DeSantis, sent out mailers to Lee County voters.
District five incumbent, Gwyn Gittens, is happy for her one and only competitor, Persons.
“I can only speak for myself,” said Gittens. “And I know that the two candidates subscribe to the same thing.”
Persons told WINK News he got the governor’s blessing twice because he stands for DeSantis’ education agenda, to keep schools open, stop indoctrination, and more.
WINK News asked Persons if the endorsement puts him above the competition.
“I think the people of Florida overall have a great respect for our governor,” said Persons.
However, Gittens told WINK News she stands for everything shown on the mailer too, because it’s the law. Despite that being the case, Gittens didn’t get a mailer.
“I will uphold the laws and statutes of the state of Florida, and the United States,” said Gittens.
Fisher also got a gold star from the governor while in a race against three others for a district one seat. When Christy Devigilli read Persons mailer she said it sounds a lot like what her platform stands for.
“I never received anything from, you know, this particular pack,” said Devigili. “And so it really makes me wonder why, you know, why everyone wasn’t contacted.”
While Fisher wasn’t available for an interview he did send a statement to WINK News. It said, in part, that he’s very appreciative of the support and endorsement.