The D1 Sarasota School Board candidate will face Heidi Brandt in a Nov. 3 runoff.
By Ed James III
Original Air Date: August 20, 2026
Host: Jimmy Glover did well, ending up the front-runner for the seat on the Sarasota School Board currently held by Bridget Ziegler. That, in turn, is energizing some in Newtown. Ed James III takes an in-depth look at the energy, voters and key figures driving District 1.
Ed James III: District 1 used to be the district represented by Bridget Ziegler, the mother of Moms for Liberty who fell into disgrace after a sex scandal. With the incumbent stepping down, Democratic candidate Jimmy Glover and Republican Heidi Brandt emerged as the top vote-getters in a three-way race also featuring Teresa DeWitt. Because no candidate secured a majority, Glover and Brandt are headed to a November 3 runoff.
Jimmy Glover
Meanwhile, results from Districts 4 and 5 point toward a political shift. In District 4, Megan Tennimon secured more than 55% of the vote against Frank DiCicco, while in District 5, Beth Mayberry captured close to 57% over Michelle Pozzie. Both Mayberry and Tennimon are registered Democrats taking over seats previously held by outgoing Republicans. If Jimmy Glover wins his general election runoff, it would result in a clean sweep for the Democratic Party across these open school board seats—and make Glover the first African American ever elected to the Sarasota County School Board.
Out in Newtown, Sarasota’s historic predominantly Black community, voters turned out in force to make their voices heard. Longtime community fixture Bernice Heggs explained why skipping an election has never been an option for her.
Bernice Heggs: I’ve never missed one in my life. I didn’t sit in at Woolworth for no reason.
EJ: At the Robert L. Taylor Community Complex, voters braved the blistering Florida heat. Bridget Peters emphasized just how critical local representation is to her ballot choice.
Bridget Peters: Because my vote is very important. We want to get the right people on board so things will be a lot better for our community.
Jimmy Glover and students
EJ: After the polls closed, the Glover campaign relocated from Robert L. Taylor Community Complex to an intimate election night watch party with Jimmy Glover’s closest friends, family and campaign staff. While awaiting his results, Glover reflected on how the day unfolded and on the long hours poured into the primary campaign trail.
Jimmy Glover soundbite: It’s been a long, busy day, but it’s been an exciting day. It’s been a day that we—me and my campaign manager—have had time to reflect on the whole year and how we ran our campaign. We came to the conclusion that we ran a really good campaign.
EJ: A powerful moment arrived when students rolled in on a yellow school bus, chanting his name and holding campaign signs. The SEE Alliance, led by Pine View School graduate and progressive activist Zander Moricz came out in full force shouting, “In District 1, there is no other! We are voting for Jimmy Glover!”
Students hold signs in support of Jimmy Glover
Zander Moricz: In District 1, there is no other! We are voting for…
Crowd: Jimmy Glover!
ZM: Students before…
Crowd: Politics!
ZM: Every student…
Crowd: Every day!
EJ: Gaining the backing of legacy community leaders like Mayor Willie Charles Shaw and Jetson Grimes underscored the historic nature of the grassroots momentum. Glover described what that endorsement means to his campaign.
JG: That makes me feel awesome, because they’ve been fighting for so long for Newtown. For them to support me on this journey—every time I called and spoke with them, they’ve always been available for me. That’s very important.
EJ: Those same Newtown legends, Shaw and Grimes, explained why capturing this seat on the school board is a monumental milestone. We start with Jetson Grimes.
Jetson Grimes: I have to go back from the history of this community here. This will be the first opportunity that we will have a representative on the school board. That’s very important. We need representation from our school board leaders, especially from this community here.
EJ: Mayor Shaw added perspective on why centering the next generation is vital for Sarasota’s future.
Willie Shaw: To involve the next generation is most important. To get this representation, especially with Mr. Glover—it is most important that we make those inroads and show that it can be done. Sarasota has to be the model for other communities around us.
EJ: While the District 1 race heads to a runoff for November 3, the room was filled with jubilant momentum as the campaign celebrated its strong primary showing.
This is Ed James III, reporting for WSLR 96.5 News.
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