FLORIDA DEMOCRATIC PARTY’S “TAKE BACK LOCAL” PROGRAM RACKS UP 13 WINS AND ADVANCES ON ELECTION NIGHT

MIAMI, FL — Tonight, 13 candidates from the Florida Democratic Party’s Take Back Local program were elected or will advance in local races across the state.

The Take Back Local program is an initiative to provide resources to candidates in competitive local races across the state, from school boards, to city commissions, to county offices. These candidates, selected through a rigorous application and vetting process, receive organizing and campaign support from the Florida Democratic Party.

Tonight, the following members of the Take Back Local program saw victories at the ballot box:

Cathy Moon, Flagler County School Board, District 1
Moné Holder, Jacksonville City Council, At- Large, Group 1
Sue Woltanski, Monroe County School Board, District 5
Angie Gallo, Orange County School Board Chair
Melissa Lopez Marantes, Orange County School Board, District 1
Gloria Reina O’Neal, Orange County School Board, District 2
John McGovern, Palm Beach County School Board, District 6
Beth Mayberry, Sarasota County School Board, District 5
Kristine Kraus, Seminole County School Board, District 1
Autumn Garrick, Seminole County School Board, District 5

The following Take Back Local candidates will advance to a run-off:

Victor Sims, Polk County School Board, District 3
Debbie Jordan, Lee County School Board, District 4
Flo Entler, Sarasota City Commission

“We’re proud to celebrate these candidates who have stepped up to lead their communities. Our Take Back Local program continues to be a monumental success, building strong local leadership – and our investments in school board races are no exception.” said Florida Democratic Party Chair, Nikki Fried.

“Floridians across the state are making it clear that they want leaders who will put politics aside to focus on the practical things: fully funding our neighborhood schools, paying teachers and education staff a living wage, keeping kids safe at school, and making our communities more affordable to live in The leaders elected tonight understand that it is their job to be champions and advocates for all students, parents, educators, and families so that the next generation of Floridians is prepared to take on the real life challenges they will face.”

“Tonight, Take Back Local helped elect the leaders who will put students first and make that vision a reality.”

“Our investments in year-round organizing include supporting candidates at the local level,” said Danielle Hawk, Director of Candidates and Campaigns. “In the last year alone, Take Back Local has flipped seats in Clermont, Miami, Boca Raton, and Ft. Pierce. By focusing our resources and support where they can make the greatest impact, we’re building a stronger bench of Democratic leaders and winning competitive races across our state.”

About the Florida Democratic Party’s Take Back Local Program 2026

Since March 2024, the Take Back Local program is the party’s initiative to provide resources to local candidates in competitive local races across the state. Across the last four cohorts, candidates who have participated in this program have achieved a 76% win rate.

Candidates are selected through a rigorous application and vetting process, and receive organizing and campaign support from the Florida Democratic Party. The Party invests directly in local candidates with funding, strategy, and voter contact, and builds the year-round organizing infrastructure that turns one race into lasting power. We’ve provided:

Direct funding: The Party puts real dollars into local races that are too often left to fend for themselves.
Strategic support: Candidates get help with targeting, message, voter data, and campaign mechanics, so a strong candidate is not sunk by a thin operation.
Direct voter contact: The Party runs and resources voter contact, from door-to-door canvassing and phones to vote-by-mail, reaching voters that local campaigns often cannot reach alone.

The program’s record of success includes:

Building Better School Boards: Facing an onslaught of book bans and bad bills that would harm students and teachers, Florida Democrats fought back against censorship and harassment of students. In August of 2024, the Take Back Local program helped secure victory for 7 of 11 candidates, with an additional 2 advancing to runoff contests. In contrast only 6 of the 23 extremist DeSantis-endorsed school board candidates across Florida won their races.

Miami: after 3 decades, a flip for a better future. In December 2025, Eileen Higgins flipped Miami’s Mayor’s Office to Democratic hands for the first time in 30 years with the support of Take Back Local. Not only did she make history, becoming the first woman elected to the office in 126 years, her campaign was victorious by over 19 points. With a message laser focused on affordability, Mayor Higgins, sailed into office not on the support of democrats alone, but with wide crossover from NPAs and Republicans.

Maitland: history made on the City Council. With Take Back Local support, Keith Givens won Seat 2 on the Maitland City Council in March 2026, becoming the first Black member of the Council in the city’s history. A Navy and Army veteran and a 30-year FBI agent, Givens brings a long record of service to a community that had never before elected a Black council member.

Boca Raton: 5 votes and 1 flip later. With the support of Take Back Local, Andy Thomson flipped the Boca Raton Mayor’s Office by a razor thin margin of just 5 votes in March of 2026. His victory proved that mobilizing volunteers to the doors and phones made the difference on election day. These are the types of programs that Take Back Local supports for cohort members.

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