LEON COUNTY, Fla. (WTXL) — Leon County School Board Vice-Chair Alva Striplin filed for re-election on Tuesday, according to the county's candidate website.
Striplin was first elected to the school board in 2014 and again in 2018. In 2022, Striplin will face a new challenger, Anthony DeMarco, who has been in the race since June 2021 and has raised $1,210 with 28 donations according to his campaign finance report.
Striplin's campaign website cites four key issues that the incumbent will focus on: teachers, parent involvement, fair wages and safety.
The District 1 incumbent told ABC 27 that she was pushed to run for re-election by her constituents.
"My neighbors in District 1 have been so supportive and many have called to make sure that I'm running again," Striplin said. "It's their words of support and encouragement that led me to file for re-election, and I would be honored to continue to serve.
Striplin added that her points of difference from her opponent include her track record of supporting the rights of parents and her time as a classroom teacher.
"In addition to being the only candidate who has experience as a classroom teacher, my track record shows that I support parents' rights to be involved in every decision made at our schools regarding their child's education and health," Striplin said.
DeMarco's campaign website cites three key points to focus on during his election run: the need to shift the district to digital devices, policy changes and advocacy needed, and needing someone who stands with science instead of against it for political gain.
"I'm going to serve our community tomorrow the same as I did today, with attention and care," DeMarco told ABC 27. "In terms of focus — I'll continue to work to ensure all of our students have access to an exceptional education."
When asked how his campaign differs from Striplin's re-election bid, he told ABC 27, "I haven't seen or know [sic] of any platform coming from my opponent. What I do see are unfulfilled promises and poor representation of the constituents who voted her in and the district at large."
The Leon County School Board District 1 includes the following schools:
- Elementary Schools
- Bond
- Buck Lake
- Chaires
- DeSoto Trail
- Gilchrist
- Hartsfield
- Killearn Lakes
- Moore
- Roberts
- Ruediger
- Middle Schools
- Cobb
- Deerlake
- Fairview
- Montford
- Raa
- Swift Creek
- Chiles
- Leon
- Lincoln
- Rickards
Election day is Nov. 8, 2022.
