Former County Commissioner and School Board member Nancy Bostock has launched a campaign for the Pinellas County School Board, picking up an early endorsement from outgoing Board member Stephanie Meyer.

Bostock announced her candidacy Tuesday, framing the race around student achievement, fiscal priorities and the pressures facing public schools as costs continue to rise.

Pinellas County Schools recently earned an “A” rating from the state for the first time, but Bostock said inflation, housing affordability and demographic shifts threaten to strain classrooms, families and educators.

“Runaway inflation has increased the cost of everything in our day-to-day lives, and our schools aren’t immune,” Bostock said in a news release. “Housing affordability, demographic shifts, and rising costs negatively impact our schools, our teachers, our families and ultimately our children. We must continue to prioritize our students and their success in the face of these challenges.”

Bostock’s campaign will focus on maximizing student outcomes, providing transparency for parents and ensuring resources are directed toward classrooms. Meyer cited Bostock’s experience in education and government as reasons for her endorsement.

“Nancy’s leadership, background in education, and experience in the private sector make her uniquely qualified to serve Pinellas County again on the School Board,” Meyer said. “We need to focus on student outcomes, provide transparency for parents, and prioritize our spending to ensure student success. Nancy Bostock is our best choice for the School Board — I’m proud to endorse her campaign.”

Bostock previously served on the Pinellas County School Board from 1998 to 2008 before winning election to the Pinellas County Commission, where she served until 2012.

A lifelong Pinellas County resident, Bostock attended Clearwater High School and earned a bachelor’s degree in history from the University of Florida and a master’s degree in education from the University of South Florida. She serves as President and CEO of Chemical Standard Laboratory, a company that produces a line of specialty chemical standards.

Bostock and her husband Craig Bostock, a retired U.S. Navy veteran, have three adult children and two grandchildren.

Last Call – A prime-time read of what’s going down in Florida politics.

First Shot

Session is almost here.

The House and Senate today released their full Opening Day schedules, with the Session set to kick off Session on Tuesday with floor proceedings at 9:30 a.m. The House will follow at 10 a.m. 

An hour later, members of both chambers will assemble for a Joint Session in the House Chamber, during which Gov. Ron DeSantis is scheduled to deliver the State of the State address, formally outlining his priorities for the year ahead.

Legislative leaders are also scheduled to hold media availabilities later today. House Speaker Daniel Perez will field questions from reporters at 1:30 p.m., followed by Senate President Ben Albritton at 2:30 p.m.

Opening Day also coincides with the Florida Chamber of Commerce’s 2026 Legislative Fly-In, which runs Tuesday and Wednesday next week. The event brings together lawmakers, business leaders, and policy stakeholders as the Legislative Session gets underway.

The annual event typically serves as an early look at the political and economic issues likely to dominate the coming months, with sessions led by Chamber analysts, legislative leadership and members of the Florida Cabinet. It also brings the release of the Florida Chamber’s “Where We Stand” business agenda, an annual outline of the organization’s legislative and policy priorities.

The Florida Chamber this week added DeSantis to the list of confirmed Fly-In speakers. He is expected to “share insights on the key policy and economic priorities shaping Florida’s future.” 

In addition to the Governor, the Fly-In will feature remarks from Albritton, Perez, Agriculture Commissioner Wilton Simpson, CFO Blaise Ingoglia and Attorney General James Uthmeier. Rep. Sam Garrison, a future House Speaker, is also scheduled to lead a session on mental health policy.

A full agenda and registration information are available on the Florida Chamber’s website. Registration closes at midnight on Wednesday.

Evening Reads

—”The 59 most bonkers lines from Donald Trump’s 2026 kickoff speech to House Republicans” via Chris Cillizza of So What?

—”Trump team puts a target on Cuba, with threats and oil blockade” via Karen DeYoung and David Ovalle of The Washington Post

—”Marco Rubio helped oust Nicolás Maduro. Running Venezuela may prove trickier.” via Edward Wong and Julian E. Barnes of The New York Times

—”The three keys to understanding Trump’s retro coup in Venezuela” via Garrett M. Graff of WIRED

—”What actually is the ‘Donroe Doctrine’?” via Joshua Keating of Vox

—”Trump tells Republicans to be ‘flexible’ on abortion restrictions to get a health care deal” via Bill Barrow of The Associated Press

—”Five Florida bills that could change how you drive” via Ana Goñi-Lessan of USA Today Network-Florida

—”Ron DeSantis sides with Trump in dispute with Miccosukee Tribe” via Jacob Ogles of Florida Politics

—”DeSantis backs Anna Paulina Luna’s trading ban, requirements for Florida candidates to disclose stock intentions” via Jacob Ogles of Florida Politics

—”On the last days for solar tax credits, a Tampa crew works down to the wire” via Emily L. Mahoney of the Tampa Bay Times