Election 2026 | Lee County School Board: District 1 voters only
The primary race for Lee County School Board District 1 includes two candidates. This is a non-partisan race so voters may cast a ballot regardless of party affiliation however only the voters who reside in District 1 may cast a ballot in this race.
Candidate name: Sam Fisher (incumbent)
Seat sought/district: Lee County School Board, District 1
Age: 45
Education/degrees: Rutgers, The State University of New Jersey, Mississippi College School Of Law Juris Doctor (J.D.)
Occupation and place of employment: Attorney & owner, Law Office of Samuel Fisher; Operations/Owner – Cape Coral Pet Vet; Lee County School Board Member District 1
Time in the district in which you are running/years of residency: Cape Coral since 2013 and Lee County since 2008.
Business experience applicable to the oaice you are seeking: Operations/owner, Cape Coral Pet Vet; former Deputy Administrator, Office of Criminal Conflict and Civil Regional Counsel, 2nd District; managed over 100 employees across 12 counties, created agency policy, and implemented an approximately $10 million budget; Governing Board Member, Oasis Charter School System, City of Cape Coral.
Political Experience/offices held: Current elected Lee County School Board Member for District 1 (2022-Present). Leadership positions including one year as vice chair of the Board and two years as chair.
Civic/Community involvement: Former Governing Board Member of the Oasis Charter School System for three years; a past member of the MPO Citizen’s Advisory Committee; graduate of the Cape Coral Chamber of Commerce Leadership Class of 2021; supportive of multiple non-profits including the Cape Coral Animal Shelter, Wolfhound’s Legacy, Junior Leadership, and Cape Coral Youth Soccer. Serve on the Board of the YMCA, the Horizon Council, the Drug Free Coalition of Lee County, and as Board Member and Vice Chair of FLPALM; served Board of Directors for the Florida School Board Association.
Family: Married to wife Cecilia. Three kids, one son in high school, two daughters entering middle school.
Military Experience:
Website: votesamfisher.com
1) Why are you running?
As a father of three children in the school district, I want to continue the strong work we’ve accomplished the past four years. Our schools are safer, our academic progress and graduation rates have grown significantly, and we’ve increased teacher pay. We’ve also expanded trade and technical opportunities for our students, championed parental rights, managed our budget and tax dollars responsibly, and most importantly, stayed focused on what matters most for our students.
2) Planks of your platform?
Student Achievement – Continue pushing academic outcomes higher and work to become an A district.
Protect Taxpayer Dollars- Stay fiscally responsible, cut waste, and put dollars toward the classroom first.
Empower Parents – Keep parents informed and involved as partners in their children’s education.
Prepare Students for Life – Keep expanding career paths that match our current workforce needs.
Safe, High-Quality Schools – Maintain secure campuses, support our teachers and staff, and focus on a positive school culture.
3) Top three issues?
1. Academic Progress.
While we have made great strides in academic achievement, there is still more work to do to improve student comprehension and become an A District. I will continue working with the Superintendent to address items such as continuing to increase instructional time, conducting a comprehensive curriculum review, and supporting our teachers.
2. Trades
We have put significant emphasis into the expanding trade and technical programs, including new programs and doubling the capacity of Cape Coral Technical College. I aim to build more community partnerships with businesses to create real-world opportunities for our students, both inside and outside of school. I will keep advocating for increased exposure to trades, not just for middle school students but also for elementary students.
3. Fiscal Responsibility
Fiscal responsibility and transparency have increased, including cutting approximately $22 million from our administrative budget and posting all budgets online, which were priorities for me. Given current funding constraints, tax dollars must be used more efficiently and responsibly. I will work to streamline programs, further reduce administrative costs, and make our transportation department operate more efficiently by optimizing bus routes and utilizing neighborhood schools.
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Candidate name: Jenn McDaigle
Seat sought/district: Lee County School Board District 1
Age: 48
Education/degrees: BA in Interdisciplinary Studies from Covenant College, 1999
Occupation and place of employment: Channel Partnerships Lead, Instacart (through March 2026). Currently on a career break to run for Lee County School Board, District 1, full-time.
Time in the district in which you are running/years of residency: 11 years
Business experience applicable to the office you are seeking: Over a decade of work with children and families in youth development across Florida. As a parent to a child with a neurodegenerative disease, I spent years advocating for my oldest daughter in Lee County until she passed away in 2023. I’ve spent the last decade as a corporate executive at companies like Instacart and Zeta Global, managing multimillion dollar budgets through rapid AI driven change. Lee County’s school board governs $400 million, a budget that ran a $92 million deficit in 2026 before raiding capital funds. I know how to run something that size and produce real results.
Political Experience/offices held: None
Military Experience: None
Civic/Community involvement: Camp Kulaqua & Camp Kanakuk, Youth Counselor, Wildwood & Orangewood Church Youth & College Leader, Family of Faith
Family: I’ve been married for 13 years to Nicole McDaigle, and together we’re raising two daughters. Our oldest, Quillen, passed away in 2023 from a rare neurodegenerative disease. Our youngest, Waverly, starts kindergarten this fall.
Website: jennforeverychild.com
1) Why are you running?
I know what it means to need a school to show up. For years, I navigated Lee County’s systems for my oldest daughter. Now, my youngest is starting kindergarten, and I’m asking: are we ready? Over half our elementary students can’t read at grade level. Teachers and support staff are being non-renewed, and the district raided its capital fund to shrink a $92 million deficit down to $46.7 million. I spent a decade as a technology executive managing budgets at scale. I know how to fix what’s broken. I am running for every child, every family, every time.
2) Planks of your platform?
My platform rests on three commitments. Future Ready Schools with Deeply Human Values: preparing students for a world reshaped by AI while strengthening critical thinking, adaptability, and human connection. The Whole Child: protecting the arts and investing in hands on, experiential learning, because mastery and curiosity matter more than memorization and compliance. Teachers and Staff That Plant Roots means teachers and staff should be able to build a career and a life here and not spend their own money to supply their classrooms.
3) Top three issues?
Half our elementary kids read below grade level. I’d push full Science of Reading implementation and reading coaches in our highest-need schools. Second, fiscal accountability. The district’s deficit this year was cut to $46.7 million only after raiding capital funds. I’d demand an independent audit and full transparency. Third, parents, teachers, and staff deserve a voice. Experienced staff deserve a conversation before non-renewal, and families deserve to hear about staffing and program changes before they happen. I’ve managed multimillion dollar budgets for a living. I know how to hold this one accountable, and I’ll do it for every child.