Former Boynton Beach Commissioner Christina Romelus more than doubled her fundraising last quarter, surpassing $40,000 in her bid for the Palm Beach County School Board.
Romelus raised close to $21,000 between Jan. 1 and March 31 through 87 donations, most of them for personal checks.
Her total haul so far is just over $41,000. After covering donation-processing and event fees, she had more than $34,000 heading into April.
Her average donation last quarter was $239.
Romelus also notched endorsements from two fellow Democrats: U.S. Rep. Lois Frankel and state Rep. Rob Long, both of whom praised her credentials for the School Board.
Frankel said Romelus “will be a tireless advocate for our children and a steady, thoughtful voice for our community.”
“Strong, safe, and well-supported public schools are the foundation of every thriving community. Christina Romelus understands that responsibility not just as a public servant, but as a mother and educator who has dedicated her life to lifting others up,” Frankel said in a statement.
“She brings both heart and results — and a clear commitment to ensuring every student, in every neighborhood, has the opportunity to succeed.”
Long, who won a Special Election for House District 90 in December, said Romelus is “exactly the kind of leader we need fighting for our students and families.”
“She brings real-world experience as an educator, a public servant, and a mom — and she understands that strong schools are the foundation of strong communities,” he said in a statement.
“Christina has a proven record of delivering results, from expanding opportunity to prioritizing safety, and I know she’ll bring that same focus and accountability to the School Board. I’m proud to support her because she’s ready to lead and deliver for Palm Beach County.”
The nods from Frankel and Long add to others from Florida Senate Democratic Leader Lori Berman; state Sens. Mack Bernard and Tina Scott Polsky; state Reps. Jervonte Edmonds and Debra Tendrich; Palm Beach County Tax Collector Anne Gannon; Palm Beach County Property Appraiser Dorothy Jacks; Palm Beach County Commissioners Bobby Powell and Maria Sachs; Boynton Beach Vice Mayor Woodrow Hay; Boynton Beach Commissioner Angela Cruz; Palm Beach Council member Cathleen Ward; late Coral Springs Vice Mayor Nancy Metayer Bowen; and West Palm Beach Commissioners Christy Fox, Christina Lambert, Joe Peduzzi and Shalonda Warren.
First responders union Professional Firefighters/Paramedics of Palm Beach County Local 2928 is also backing Romelus, who said her campaign’s traction reflects a broad coalition forming around her priorities.
“This campaign is about making sure every student has access to a safe, high-quality education, that every parent feels heard and supported, and that our educators are treated like the professionals they are,” Romelus said in a statement. “I’ve spent my career showing up for families, and I’m ready to bring that same focus and urgency to the School Board.”
Romelus, a Haiti-born former nurse and educator who made history in 2016 as Boynton Beach’s youngest City Commissioner, is running on a platform focused on expanding access to high-quality curriculum, strengthening school safety and improving collaboration between schools and parents.
She is competing against Republican Juan Zapata, a private school administrator who ran for House District 89 in 2024. The two are seeking to succeed outgoing District 4 School Board member Erica Whitfield, who is running for the Palm Beach County Commission.
Zapata reported raising about $15,000 through his campaign account by March 31.
School Board races are nonpartisan, so candidates for each race will appear on the Aug. 18 Primary ballot.
