Miami-Dade County, FL – In a sharp reversal from the 2018 election cycle, Miami-Dade County has flipped red. With the GOP adding over half a million registered voters in Florida this year, it should come as no surprise that the county would experience their first political realignment since 2002.
Of Miami-Dade’s nine school board seats, four were up for re-election. District 2’s longtime liberal incumbent prevailed, while Districts 4 and 8 both saw conservative, parental rights focused candidates, Roberto Alonso and Monica Colucci, claim victory in their elections. Both candidates were endorsed by Florida Governor Ron DeSantis.
District 4 officer-elect, Roberto Alonso, who won his primary on August 23rd, campaigned with the promise to be the voice of the community, reduce class sizes, protect students from “indoctrination by politics”, and raise teacher salaries, amongst others.
Colucci, a Miami-Dade public school elementary teacher for 26 years, ousted the two decades District 8 incumbent, Marta Perez. She has promised to represent the interests and values of students, parents, and teachers in Miami-Dade County Public Schools.
The District 6 incumbent, Mari Tere Rojas, a professional educator of more than 45 years, retained her seat. Rojas states on her campaign page that she has “remained on the frontlines in the pursuit of excellence in education, safer and secure schools, the recruitment and retention of capable and devoted educators and workforce, and the expansion and enhancement of educational programs, choice programs, and workforce development that will prepare the next generation of innovators.”
Additionally, Christi Fraga, District 5 school board member, has tossed her hat into the City of Doral’s Mayoral race which will leave her seat vacated. According to Florida statutes, the Governor has the authority to appoint school board members when a seat is vacated by a member seeking another elected office. Governor DeSantis, who has a history of appointing conservative, parental rights focused members to school board seats, will no doubt appoint an outstanding citizen to fill District 5’s vacancy.
All three officers-elect were sworn in and took the oath of office on November 15th, 2022, and their official duties will commence on November 22, 2022. Miami-Dade County Citizens Defending Freedom (CCDF-Miami-Dade) has developed friendly working relationships with the new and returning school board members and look forward to future endeavors that will put students and parental-rights first.
