Gabrielle Russon
A Florida Democratic Party-backed candidate, Stephanie Vanos, overwhelmingly defeated opponent Jeni Grieger Tuesday for an open Orange County School Board seat.
With all the precincts of reporting, Vanos received about 68% of the vote versus Grieger’s 32%.
“Just incredible! I am so proud of her and cannot wait to see the positive impact she will have on our School Board!” Eskamani said on X Tuesday night.
The School Board’s District 6 seat opened up because School Board member Karen Castor Dentel ran for Orange County Supervisor of Elections.
Vanos was one of 11 School Board candidates across the state getting money and grassroots mobilization support from the Florida Democratic Party’s Take Back Local initiative.
“Stephanie is running for school board because she believes that we need knowledgeable, rational people on our school board and people who put students first,” the FDP said in its endorsement of Vanos.
Vanos, a former lawyer, is an education advocate. She previously was the Vice President for the Democratic Public Education Caucus of Florida. She also served as the Co-Chair for the Education Committee for the League of Women Voters Orange County.
In a candidate survey with the American Family Association, Grieger had said she opposed mask mandates from COVID, disagreed with diversity initiatives and supported adults having control over school’s library books even if their kids didn’t attend there.
But Grieger wasn’t one of the 23 candidates receiving the endorsement from Gov. Ron DeSantis. Moms for Liberty did not publicly support her either.
If Grieger had won, it would have given more control to Orange County School Board Member Alicia Farrant, who is a Moms for Liberty member. Farrant has urged the School District to get rid of library materials she found offensive.
The Orlando Sentinel reported that Grieger appeared in a picture on social media with Farrant although she denied being involved with the group.
