Trove of local officials back Nancy Bostock for Pinellas School Board

Nancy Bostock is rolling out a suite of endorsements in her race for Pinellas County School Board, District 6, adding to a growing list of support in her bid to replace incumbent Stephanie Meyer, who is not seeking re-election and is backing Bostock as her preferred successor.

The new backers include Clearwater Mayor Bruce Rector, Seminole Mayor Leslie Waters, Redington Beach Mayor David Will, Pinellas Park Vice Mayor Ricky Butler, Indian Shores Vice Mayor Michael Howard, Redington Beach Town Commissioner Richard Cariello, Madeira Beach City Commissioner Housh Ghovaee, Largo City Commissioner Curtis Holmes, Belleair Town Commissioner Todd Jennings, Belleair Bluffs City Commissioner Suzy Sofer and Treasure Island City Commissioner Tammy Vasquez.

While School Board races are nonpartisan, Bostock is a registered Republican. Most of the endorsers are, too.

Waters praised Bostock for her track record. Bostock previously served on the School Board from 1998 until 2008 before being elected to the Pinellas County Commission in 2008, where she served one term.

“It is my privilege to endorse Nancy Bostock for the Pinellas County School Board,” Waters said. “I have known Nancy for decades. With her experience and longtime relationships with local government leaders, I am confident she will build strong partnerships with our cities and strengthen opportunities for all Pinellas students. She is fiscally responsible, knowledgeable about education, and dedicated to our students and their success.”

Bostock called the endorsements from local leaders an honor.

“The School District best serves its students when working in partnership with our surrounding communities,” she said. “I will build upon my established relationships with these leaders to benefit our School District and all Pinellas students.”

The local nods follow endorsements from six of the seven sitting Pinellas County Commissioners, all but Rene Flowers, the Board’s only Democrat. A majority of Pinellas County constitutional officers have also backed Bostock, including Clerk of Court Ken Burke, Sheriff Bob Gualtieri, Tax Collector Adam Ross and Property Appraiser Mike Twitty. The fifth constitutional officer is Pinellas County Supervisor of Elections Julie Marcus, who, for obvious reasons, does not endorse political candidates.

Bostock also has support from a majority of the Pinellas County legislative delegation. She also landed support from incumbent Dawn Peters and from former School Board Members Lucille Casey, Carol Cook, Ken Peluso and Ron Walker.

Meyer was first elected to the School Board in 2022 and chose not to seek re-election after her first term.

Bostock, who announced her campaign in January, will focus her campaign on maximizing student outcomes, providing transparency for parents and ensuring resources are directed toward classrooms.

A lifelong Pinellas County resident, Bostock attended Clearwater High School. She 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 faces Amanda Lord.