Brittany Lyssy
Lyssy is a Tampa attorney and mother of three, with a bachelor's degree from the University of Florida and a law degree from Stetson University College of Law; she is pursuing a Ph.D. in public policy with an education-policy focus. She has served on the City of Tampa Citizens Advisory Budget and Finance Committee and is a past president of the Tampa Bay Young Republicans. She took 37% in the Aug. 18, 2026 primary and advanced to the Nov. 3 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 2026-07-28. 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.
Taxes & spending Mixed / neutral· stated position
Lyssy's campaign centers on fiscal stewardship and transparency, saying tax dollars should be used transparently with classrooms first, but she has not called for cutting taxes or the school millage.
"use tax dollars transparently, and put classrooms first"
Education & school choice Leans agree· stated position
A July 2026 Osprey Observer candidate profile reported that Lyssy supports a range of high-quality educational options so parents can choose the setting that best fits their child. Her campaign site says parents, not politics, should guide their children's education.
"She supports high-quality educational options so parents can choose the learning environment that best meets their child's individual needs."
Teacher and staff pay Leans agree· stated position
In her Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey Lyssy says teachers deserve competitive compensation along with consistent discipline policies and fewer administrative burdens. She also says the district should direct resources toward classrooms and teachers, but does not name pay as the single top budget priority.
"Teachers deserve competitive compensation, consistent discipline policies, reduced administrative burdens, and the support needed to focus on teaching."
School safety approach Leans agree· stated position
Lyssy's survey emphasizes consistent discipline policies and maintaining safe, orderly classrooms, and lists safe schools among her priorities. She does not mention counselors or mental-health staffing.
"I will work to maintain safe, orderly classrooms where educators can teach, students can learn, and families are heard and respected."
No public position found on 3 issues
We searched campaign sites, questionnaires, interviews, votes and official actions and did not find a clear stance on: Property taxes, Gender identity laws, Library and classroom materials. 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
- Elected superintendent — Lyssy supports the ballot amendment that would make Hillsborough's superintendent an elected position; the other candidates in the 2026 field opposed it.
- Academic focus — Her campaign site says schools must prioritize reading, math, science and civics 'not politics,' and lists literacy, fiscal oversight, transparency and parental involvement as priorities.Sources: Vote Brittany Lyssy (2026-09)
- Parental rights and transparency — Lyssy says parents have a right to know what their children are learning and to take part in educational decisions, and that she is running to defend parental rights.
- Academics and career education — Lyssy says she would prioritize reading, writing, math, science and civics with measurable academic progress and early support for struggling students, and would expand career and technical education and apprenticeships.
- Budget oversight — Lyssy says Hillsborough County Public Schools must be transparent and accountable with every taxpayer dollar, and that she would evaluate contracts, strengthen oversight of major expenditures and demand measurable results from district programs.
- Fundraising — Had raised more than $99,000; said neither she nor her campaign commissioned the phone polls about Simic.
Endorsements (as reported)
- Suncoast Tampa Association of Realtors
- Tampa Police Benevolent Association
- Tampa Firefighters Local 754