Manatee County School Board races head to November runoff after primary election

Four candidates are headed to runoff races after Tuesday’s primary election for Manatee County School Board seats.

Because no candidate earned more than 50% of the vote, the top two candidates in each race will head to a runoff on November’s general election ballot. Heather Felton will run against Mark Stanoch in District 1, while Charlie Kennedy and Jon Lynch will compete in the District 3 race.

Heather Felton, a former Manatee County teacher, described herself as a moderate and said she wants students to feel safe and welcome in schools.

Heather Felton earned more votes than Alex Garner and Mark Stanoch in the District 1 School Board race.

Felton received 6,100 votes or 38.96%, Stanoch received 4,960 votes or 31.68%, and Garner received 4,596 votes or 29.36%.

Stanoch, a former Dell executive, said he promised to improve test scores in reading, math and language arts, protect parental rights and keep an eye on the budget.

Garner, a financial advisor, teaches business at Palmetto High School. He is a fourth-generation Manatee County resident, according to his campaign biography.

Felton raised $9,551 in campaign finance funds, while Stanoch and Garner raised $34,457 and $20,770, respectively, according to public records.

Kennedy, a P.E. coach at Daughtrey Elementary, is a former School Board member who touted his role in raising teacher salaries. Kennedy has taught for 20 years in schools in Florida and other places like Pennsylvania and Washington D.C.

Kennedy came out on top of Jon Lynch and Perri Ann Parkman in the District 3 School Board race.

Kennedy received 6,970 votes, or 47.39%, Lynch received 4,426 votes, or 30.09%, and Parkman received 3,311 votes, or 22.51%.

Kennedy raised $13,471 in campaign finance funds, while Lynch and Parkman raised $39,450 and $17,000, respectively, according to public records.

Lynch, who grew up in Bradenton and owns a marina in Cortez, said he promised to protect parental rights, raise teacher salaries and reinvigorate vocational education.

Parkman, who has four decades of experience as a hairstylist, boasted a passion for “teaching various subjects,” teamwork and seeking positive outcomes, according to her campaign website.

The general election will be held on Tuesday, Nov. 5.