Cynthia West running for District 5 seat on Okaloosa County School Board

Cynthia West, is shifting gears in her bid for the Okaloosa County School Board, as she is now gearing up for a run in District 5.

West originally sought the District 3 seat in December, then changed her focus to the District 1 seat in January before landing on a District 5 run.

In her campaign announcement for the District 5 seat, West said she will represent new leadership for the School Board.

“This is bigger than any one seat,” West said. “It is about whether we have a School Board willing to do the hard work and make the tough decisions our students deserve. Right now, that leadership is not where it needs to be.”

The District 5 seat is currently held by Brett Hinely who was appointed to the post by Gov. Ron DeSantis in 2024. He was picked to fill the seat after Diane Kelley stepped down to fill the principal’s vacancy at Destin High School.

Hinely has filed to run to remain on the School Board in the Panhandle county. According to the Okaloosa County Supervisor of Elections Office, he has no reported financial contributions to his campaign thus far. Hinely is the President of Cove Marine Inc. in Okaloosa County, the Director of Marina Cove Realty, and a U.S. Air Force veteran.

West has amassed just under $83,000 in financial contributions and has already spent more than $11,000. She’s a mental health counselor who relocated to Okaloosa County following stints in Utah and Arizona.

“Our schools are facing serious challenges from student safety and bullying concerns to questions about transparency and long-term planning,” West said. “Families are asking for answers, and too often they are not getting them. We need a school board that listens, responds, and leads.”

Other School Board contests in Okaloosa County this year include the District 1 seat, with J.D. Peacock squaring off against Jerry Buckman. The District 3 School Board seat pits Linda Evanchyk against Mitch Reed.

The nonpartisan School Board election takes place during the Aug. 18 Primary. If there are more than two candidates and no one receives a majority of the vote, the top two advance to a runoff in the Nov. 3 General Election. If a candidate does receive a majority in the Primary, they win the seat unless a write-in candidate qualifies.