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Pinellas School Board 6: Bill Dudley edges out Matt Stewart

 
Published Nov. 7, 2018|Updated Nov. 7, 2018

The latest:

  • With 100 percent of precincts reporting, Bill Dudley wins the District 6 seat of Pinellas County School Board over Matt Stewart.
  • This race is one of three for seats on the board, which oversees Florida’s eighth-largest school district. The board will gain at least two — and possibly three — new members tonight.
  • These preliminary results include early votes and some Election Day precincts votes. For more election results, check the Tampa Bay Times results page.

Bill Dudley just barely beat out Matt Stewart for the District 6 seat on Pinellas County School Board, according to early election results.

With all precincts reporting, he took 50.67 percent of the vote.

Bill Dudley is a retired teacher and coach with more than 38-years at Northeast High School in St. Petersburg. He set his sights on the School Board after being term-limited out of his spot on the City Council.

Dudley, 74, has said he wants to improve the district's transportation system by using public transit. He has called for more student accountability, particularly when it comes to attendance.

He collected about $22,300 in campaign donations, just short of Stewart's $28,300.

Stewart, 38, works in human resources for Hillsborough County government. He has also taught ethics as an adjunct professor at St. Petersburg College, and this was his second try for a spot on the School Board after losing a runoff election in 2016.

As a foster parent, Stewart said he wanted to fight the "war on public education." He vowed to prioritize the district's business partnerships and work to boost community involvement in schools.

The District 6 seat is vacated School Board member Linda Lerner, who is stepping down after nearly three decades. It spans parts of Largo, Pinellas Park, Seminole and the south Gulf Beaches.

Dudley will serve a four-year term and earn a $44,163 salary.

Follow @mareevs for the latest on Pinellas School Board races.

For national and statewide election results check The Buzz

For local election results check Bay Buzz

For school board election results check The Gradebook.