Fisher, Langford Fleming re-elected
Two of the four School Board of Lee County races on the ballot were decided in Tuesday’s primary election, with the remaining two races headed to run-offs in the general election in November.
With 22 of 22 precincts reporting, School Board Member Sam Fisher was re-elected to the District 1 seat, while School Board Member Jada Langford Fleming, with 99 of 99 precincts reporting, was re-elected to the District 6 seat — an at-large one decided countywide.
The incumbent, Fisher faced challenger Jenn McDaigle for the seat, which is a four-year term from 2026-30. He garnered 16,895 votes — 57.93% percent of the total ballots cast — compared to McDaigle’s 12,268 votes — 42.07% percent.
Only voters in District 1, which includes Sanibel, Captiva, Boca Grande and much of Cape Coral, could cast a ballot in the race.
District 6
Langford Fleming was re-elected to a second term as she held off a challenge from India Palencia.
With 99 out of 99 precincts reporting, Langford Fleming received 66.41% of the vote, compared to 33.59% for Palencia. Langford Fleming received 80,754 votes compared to 40,853 for Palencia. District 6 covers all of Lee County.
Langford Fleming, a former elementary school teacher for the School District of Lee County, currently works as an athletic trainer in addition to her $54,000 job on the school board.
Palencia, a substitute teacher for the school district, ran a campaign challenging Langford Fleming and the school board’s management of the district’s finances during a time of fiscal crisis in which the district reported an operating deficit of more than $90 million earlier this year. The Estero resident also criticized the district’s record on student achievement.
Langford Fleming, of Fort Myers, had touted the district’s cuts to the administration and staff, while focusing on student achievement.
“I can’t wait to see what happens four years from now,” Langford Fleming said.
District 4
In the District 4 race, incumbent School Board Member Debbie Jordan fought to hold onto her seat against three challengers, Carl W. Baxter, Tony Beougher and Gisele “Gigi” Gentile. With no candidate winning a majority vote of 50% plus one, the top two vote-getters advance to the general election to face each other.
On Nov. 3, Jordan and Beougher will vie for the seat. With 16 out of 17 precincts reporting, Jordan won 7,290 votes — 39.52% percent of the total ballots cast — and Beougher earned 5,835 votes — 31.63% percent. Gentile came in in third place scoring 3,096 votes — 16.79% percent, while Baxter received 2,224 votes — 12.06% percent — for last place.
A four-year term from 2026-30, the District 4 seat includes part of Cape Coral, North Fort Myers and part of Fort Myers. Only voters in the district could cast a ballot in the race.
District 5
For the District 5 race, incumbent School Board Member Armor Persons battled to retain his seat against two challengers, Crystal Johnson and Carline Saintilus. With no candidate winning a majority vote of 50% plus one, the top two vote-getters advance to the general election to face one another.
On Nov. 3, Persons and Johnson will vie for the seat. With 17 out of 17 precincts reporting, Persons won 7,151 votes — 43.53% percent of the total ballots cast — and Johnson earned 5,161 votes — 31.42% percent. Saintilus scored 4,116 votes — 25.0% percent.
A four-year term from 2026-30, the District 5 seat includes the northeastern region, like Lehigh Acres, Alva, Buckingham and Olga, and the outer northeastern section of Fort Myers. Only voters in the district could cast a ballot in the race.
All election results are unofficial until certified.
Fort Myers Beach Observer Editor Nathan Mayberg contributed to this article.