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![Parent volunteers Kristina O'Kelley, left, and Alina Font explain a sales tax for Hillsborough County schools to neighbor Barbara Landry before the Nov. 6 election. The measure passed easily, similar to what happened in other Florida counties this election cycle. Districts welcome the support but worry it will send a message to Tallahassee that they won't have to allocate as much money to public schools.[MARLENE SOKOL | Times]](https://www.tampabay.com/storyimage/HI/20181117/ARTICLE/311179800/AR/0/AR-311179800.jpg&MaxW=600&imageVersion=Rotator)
Longtime principal Susan Duval crushed her challenger in her race for re-election to the District 5 seat of the Hernando County School Board in Tuesday's primary.
She won 64 percent of the vote over Brooksville pastor Joe Santerelli, according to the Hernando County Supervisor of Elections. He ran against her in response to her recent support of firing superintendent Lori Romano.
A retired principal with more than 40 years in the Hernando school district, Duval, 71, was first elected to the board in 2014. She is known for asking more questions than any other School Board member during meetings.
Duval was out picking up campaign signs when reached for comment on her win. She said she hadn't yet seen the results.
"I won?" she said.
"I'm honored that the voters have the confidence in me to allow me to continue to serve on the School Board," she said. "I don't take things for granted. I want to do a good job and make everyone proud to be a part of this county and school district."
School Board races are nonpartisan. Members set policy and approve budgets for the school district. They must live in the community where their seat is based, but are elected countywide. They serve four-year terms and are paid $36,276 per year.
Contact Megan Reeves at [email protected]. Follow @mareevs.
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