Andy Tuck
Andy Tuck is a Highlands County citrus grower who was elected to the District 5 seat on the School Board of Highlands County in 2006. Gov. Rick Scott appointed him to the Florida State Board of Education in 2014 and reappointed him in 2018. He reported about $4,000 in campaign contributions, all from family members, and advanced to the November 2026 runoff.
Campaign finance: state and county candidates file with the Florida Division of Elections or the county Supervisor of Elections. Search contributions ↗
Sources last checked 2026-09-18. Report an error ↗
Positions on the major issues
Compare with opponents →Each entry describes what the candidate has said or done, and what they say they will do, in neutral terms with sources. The chip shows how that relates to the statement voters rate in the matching tool.
Teacher and staff pay Leans agree· stated position
At a July 2026 Highlands County Education Association forum, Tuck called the number of open teaching positions three weeks before school unacceptable and said attracting teachers requires raising teacher pay and respect, which he tied to getting the district budget back on track.
"raising teacher pay and raising the respect they have in the classroom. That comes with the budget and getting it back on track."
No public position found on 6 issues
We searched campaign sites, questionnaires, interviews, votes and official actions and did not find a clear stance on: Taxes & spending, Property taxes, Education & school choice, Gender identity laws, Library and classroom materials, School safety approach. This is reported as unknown rather than guessed from party affiliation; these issues are excluded from this candidate's match score.
Other issues this candidate has raised
- No 2026 positions located — Tuck did not respond to the Florida Trib's interview requests and offered no views on district finances or current policy; no campaign website, questionnaire or forum coverage stating his 2026 positions was found.
- District spending — Announcing his 2026 run, Tuck said he would bring business-style efficiency to the district, criticized end-of-year 'use it or lose it' spending, and pledged to defend parental rights.
Record: votes, actions and documented facts
- 2008: as a Highlands County School Board member, opposed teaching evolution as fact in proposed state science standards.
- November 2021: resigned from the Florida State Board of Education during an inspector general inquiry into plans for a private consulting company to bid on a Jefferson County schools contract; he did not sit for an interview with investigators.