Former Boynton Beach Commissioner Christina Romelus is adding an endorsement from the local Fraternal Order of Police (FOP) chapter in her campaign for the Palm Beach County School Board.
The endorsement adds law enforcement support to a list of backers that already includes teachers, firefighters and elected officials.
Jim Sniffen, Regional President of FOP Palm Beach, Martin, St. Lucie, Indian River and Okeechobee counties, said Romelus “has dedicated her career to serving our community, and she understands that student success begins with safe schools.”
“Keeping our schools safe requires leaders who value collaboration, listen to those on the front lines, and are willing to make tough decisions in the best interest of our children,” he said.
“We know she’ll be a thoughtful, accessible partner who is committed to ensuring every child has the opportunity to learn in a safe environment. We’re proud to endorse Christina Romelus for Palm Beach County School Board.”
Romelus said the nod carries personal weight, noting that her husband, Darren, is a Palm Beach County firefighter.
“We’ve seen the long hours, the missed holidays, and the willingness of our first responders to put others before themselves,” she said. “That’s why I’m especially honored to have the support of the men and women of the FOP. As a School Board member, I’ll be a strong partner to our public safety professionals because every child deserves to learn in a safe, secure environment, and every teacher deserves to know they have the support they need.”
The FOP joins a long list of endorsers backing Romelus, including Palm Beach County Classroom Teachers Association, Palm Beach-Treasure Coast AFL-CIO, firefighters of IAFF Local 2928, Ruth’s List Florida, Equality Florida, current District 4 School Board member Erica Whitfield — whom Romelus is running to succeed — Senate Democratic Leader Lori Berman, Sen. Mack Bernard, Rep. Jervonte Edmonds, Tax Collector Anne Gannon, County Commissioners Bobby Powell and Maria Sachs, West Palm Beach Commissioners Joe Peduzzi and Christina Lambert, Lake Worth Beach Mayor Betty Resch and former State Attorney Dave Aronberg, among others.
A former nurse and educator who taught at Palm Beach State College from 2014 to 2020, Romelus made history in 2016 as Boynton Beach’s youngest City Commissioner and later served as Vice Mayor.
She was born in Port-au-Prince, Haiti, raised in Palm Beach County, and holds a master’s degree from Barry University and a bachelor’s degree from the University of Miami. She now runs PolitiCALM, a government affairs and leadership training firm.
Romelus faces education and mental health professional Tiffany Bryant, former Pittsburgh Public Schools Superintendent Anthony Hamlet and private school administrator Daniel Zapata in the District 4 race.
Because School Board races are nonpartisan, all candidates will appear on the Aug. 18 Primary ballot.
The General Election follows on Nov. 3.
