Miami-Dade Democrats Endorse Dr. Nancy Lawther for Miami-Dade School Board

MIAMI-DADE, FL: The Miami-Dade Democratic Party has endorsed Dr. Nancy Lawther for Miami-Dade County School Board in District 9.

Dr. Nancy Lawther is a lifelong educator, a recognized community advocate committed to expanding our children’s opportunities, keeping them safe, and restoring the value of their public school education. Her teaching career crosses state lines — beginning at Yale, then to the University of Georgia and Barry University and the University of Miami. She has been a member of Parent District & Schools Budget Advisory Subcommittee (Chair 2017-2019), Family & Community Involvement Advisory Committee, Audit and Budget Advisory Committee, 21st Century Schools Bond Advisory Committee, Diversity, Equity, and Excellence Advisory Committee, Attendance Boundary Committee, Wellness Advisory Committee, Safety & Security Committee, and Teacher Salary Taskforce.

Statement from Miami-Dade Democratic Party Chair Steve Simeonidis:

“Rarely have we had the honor of endorsing such a qualified candidate for school board,” said Steve Simeonidis, Chair of the Miami-Dade Democratic Party. “Dr. Lawther is past president of the Miami-Dade County Council PTA/PTSA and chair of Citizens’ Coalition for Miami-Dade Public Schools. She is a committed DEC member, and has offered multiple level legislative courses for prospective Florida House candidates. Her insights on the legislative process and the needs of our students and teachers will make her invaluable on the School Board, and I look forward to continuing to work with her after she wins her election.”

The members of the endorsement committee congratulated all of the candidates who participated in the process. Steve Simeonidis, Chair of the Miami-Dade Democratic Party, added, "Running for office is not for the faint of heart, and I want everyone to know that I consider Luisa Santos a rising star in our party, and I thank her for her dedication and passion in this race. We are all better for her participation."

The endorsement process for the Miami-Dade School Board, District 9 seat originated with an invitation to all registered Democrats in the race to send materials for consideration. The materials submitted highlighted the candidates’ personal backgrounds, experience, and their views on key issues of concern to Democratic Party members, including affordable housing, public transit, combating racism, LGBT rights, women’s rights, environmental concerns, and a living wage. A panel of Democratic Party leaders, facilitated by First Vice Chair Maria-Elena Lopez, then interviewed all candidates, and referred their recommendations to the Democratic Party Steering Committee. These recommendations were in turn approved by a supermajority and referred to the larger Democratic Executive Committee, which voted to support Dr. Lawther. This county-wide endorsement is part of an unprecedented year-long effort on the part of Miami-Dade Democrats to engage voters, organize, and ultimately defeat the White House occupant in 2020 and elect Democrats up and down the ticket.

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The Miami-Dade Democratic Executive Committee is the governing body of the Democratic Party in Miami-Dade County. Its mission is to build and sustain a strong Democratic Party in Miami- Dade County for the purpose of electing Democratic candidates to offices at all levels of government.

For more information, visit us online at: https://www.miamidadedems.org/