A bill that would require public school classrooms to display portraits of Presidents George Washington and Abraham Lincoln faced opposition in its first Senate stop, where Democrats expressed concerns about race and representation.

The measure ultimately advanced on a 6-1 vote by the Senate Committee on Education Pre-K-12.

Its sponsor, Zephyrhills Republican Sen. Danny Burgess, described the legislation (SB 420) as symbolic, educational and unifying. It’s also timely, he said, considering the U.S. is celebrating its 250th anniversary this July.

“These individuals helped us become who we are as a country,” he said. “It’s appropriate for the present and future that we never lose sight of what it meant to both build our country — to be the founder of our country, as George Washington was — but also to preserve our country, to fight to end slavery, to keep our union together. These individuals represent so much (and) unite us all.”

But the proposal failed to unify the seven committee members present to vote on it.

Jacksonville Democratic Sen. Tracie Davis, who cast the sole “no” vote Tuesday, argued SB 420 will set a new mandate that classrooms display certain photos — a precedent, she said, that can “potentially be expounded upon from future Legislatures” and contribute to political indoctrination.

Burgess pushed back on that assertion. Washington and Lincoln were both “imperfect,” like “all of us,” but “represent the ongoing effort for America to continue to try to be better.”

Tamarac Democratic Sen. Rosalind Osgood inquired as to whether the bill would still permit teachers to display photos of Harriet Tubman, who helped countless slaves escape captivity and was the first woman to lead U.S. troops in an armed assault, alongside pics of Washington and Lincoln.

Burgess said SB 420 would preclude other photos from being displayed “in no way, shape or form.”

Still, Osgood said, there is a “great level of sensitivity” among African American people and how governments have overwritten Black history, such as Florida education standards approved in 2023 requiring students to be taught that slaves learned skills they could use “for their personal benefit” and President Donald Trump’s removal last year of so-called “divisive” exhibits at the Smithsonian’s National Museum of African American History and Culture.

“I want our state to continue to be the state that builds us and brings us together,” Osgood said. “As we move forward with this, please, I’m going to ask you if you will be sensitive to that.”

Burgess said he would, adding that he’d like to meet with Osgood later to learn more about her views. The point of choosing Washington and Lincoln, he said, was that their values “rose above the politics of present day,” while still serving as an inspiration for greater unity.

SB 420 would require each district School Board to adopt rules mandating the “conspicuous” display of pictures of Washington and Lincoln in classrooms used primarily for social studies instruction and in all K-5 classrooms.

The bill would also direct the Florida Department of Education to select the portraits and make them available to each school district beginning July 1.

SB 420 will next go to the Senate Appropriations Committee on Pre-K-12, after which it has one more stop before reaching a floor vote.

Its House twin (HB 371) by Stuart Republican Rep. John Snyder awaits a hearing before the first of two committees to which it was referred.

Republican House District 71 candidate Melton Little is reporting another strong fundraising quarter as he heads into the 2026 election cycle.

Little is facing Kristen Truong and Jordan Varnadore in the Republican Primary as the seat becomes open with Bradenton Republican Rep Will Robinson hitting term limits.

Little’s campaign and his affiliated political committee, Make Manatee Great Again PC, raised more than $87,000 during the fourth quarter of 2025. The total is more than double what his opponents raised combined during the same period.

Overall, Little has raised nearly $188,000 via his campaign account and more than $30,000 through his PC. Truong’s campaign has raised nearly $41,000 and another $67,000 through the Sun Coast Conservative Alliance PAC. Varnadore’s campaign has raised nearly $32,000, plus another $3,000 through the Protecting Manatee Values PC, while Masferrer’s campaign has raised just over $2,100.

“It is humbling to have the support of so many folks on so many levels in the community contributing to the campaign,” Little said in a statement. “Our momentum is gaining every day.”

Little is running for the House on a platform centered on conservative economic principles, small-business experience and community involvement. He said his campaign has focused on meeting voters while continuing to build grassroots financial support. According to the campaign, roughly 93% of the 220 contributors live within the district and Manatee County.

Little has also secured the support of Donna Hayes, a longtime Republican organizer in Manatee County who previously served as Chair of former President Donald Trump’s local campaigns in 2016, 2020 and 2024, according to the campaign.

A Manatee County native, Little grew up in Bayshore Gardens and attended Bayshore High School before establishing a law practice in Palmetto nearly four decades ago. His firm has represented thousands of local residents, the campaign said.

Little has also been active in youth sports, education, and scholarship efforts in the community. His community service has received recognition from the Manatee County Boys & Girls Club and the Manatee County Bar Association, according to campaign materials.

The winner of the GOP Primary will face Democrat Marie Masferrer in the General Election unless another Democrat challenges her in the Primary.