Brigitte Smith
Smith is a registered nurse with about 35 years in the operating room and a U.S. Army Nurse Corps veteran who has volunteered as a medical missionary and serves as board secretary of the Paul Chester Children's Hope Foundation. She has two daughters who graduated from Marion County schools and a granddaughter at Dunnellon Middle School, and chairs the Marion County Republican Executive Committee. She finished second in the Aug. 18, 2026 primary and advanced to the Nov. 3 runoff.
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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.
Library and classroom materials Mixed / neutral· stated position
Smith said she would follow Florida's book-challenge statute exactly: material objected to as sexually explicit is pulled within five school days pending review, while other challenges go to a hearing and a board decision. She said she once took part in a challenge herself and that the current policy works.
"The policy in place does work and has appropriate oversight."
Teacher and staff pay Leans agree· stated position
In the News 6 voter's guide questionnaire, Smith said the district should address waste in construction contracts and redirect the savings toward teacher retention through competitive benefits packages.
School safety approach Mixed / neutral· stated position
Smith named student discipline one of her main concerns and called for a balanced approach, without specifying more police officers or more counselors.
No public position found on 4 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. 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
- Reading proficiency and overcrowding — Smith's stated top concerns are third-grade reading proficiency, which she puts at 46% at grade level, school overcrowding and bus driver shortages.
Endorsements (as reported)
- Christian Family Coalition Florida
- Christian Family Coalition Florida