Mike Wright
Ken Frink came close to winning Tuesday’s Citrus County School Board District 2 race outright.
The big race was for second place.
Frink, the former Crystal River City Manager, led the four-candidate Primary with 46% of the vote. However, since he didn’t cross the 50% threshold, he’ll face high school teacher Victoria Smith in the General Election.
Smith finished second at 24%. Rounding out the field were Laura Gatling-Wright at 21% and Dale Marie Merrill at 9%.
Ginger Bryant’s retirement after 24 years in office brought four candidates. Bryant endorsed Frink, a former pupil, who was the only candidate without any direct School District experience.
But he easily had name recognition. Frink resigned his position as City Manager in a well-publicized move after he married Councilwoman Cindi “Guy” Frink. He received a temporary appointment to the City Council and considered running in a Special Election, but decided instead to run for School Board.
He’s a professional engineer who has worked with the Southwest Florida Water Management District, is a former Citrus County director of public works, and was the candidate of the four with Florida election experience. In 2006, he was elected to the Citrus County Mosquito Control Board, but resigned shortly before his term ended to take the county job.
Frink’s campaign donations reflected his standing in the community. After announcing his candidacy in January, Frink quickly gained financial support from some of Citrus County’s biggest campaign donors, plus former County Commissioners Scott Adams, Nick Bryant (Ginger’s husband) and J.J. Kenney.
He also accepted contributions from developers at a time when Citrus County residents are expressing deep concern about residential and commercial growth.
Though Frink showed $54,786 in campaign donations, that includes $10,000 he added on Aug. 1. He spent about $39,000 on advertising, mail pieces and consulting. Reports also show Frink didn’t spent a dime on his campaign, other than bank fees, since July 17.
Smith also scored well in campaign fundraising. She raised $29,800 and spent all but $4,000, mainly in mail pieces, signs and newspaper advertising.
One of Smith’s biggest challenges was to overcome the public’s concern that if she’s elected to the School Board, her husband, former Rep. Jimmie T. Smith, would use that connection to further his consistent attacks on the School District. Victoria Smith said she disagrees with her husband’s opinions, and wishes he was not so openly critical.
Merrill’s focus was on student behavior. Merrill volunteered as a substitute teacher during the campaign.
Gatling-Wright had the smallest campaign fund, the fewest signs and has spent the least amount of money yet scored support from parents. She has two children attending Citrus County Schools.
