Gene Trent
Gene Trent was elected to the Brevard County School Board's District 2 seat in 2022 and served as board vice chair. He describes more than 20 years as a classroom educator. He led the August 2026 primary with about 42% of the vote and faces Kyle Savage in the November 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.
Taxes & spending Leans agree· stated position
In an August 2025 video Trent questioned whether the district needed about $7 million in federal funding, saying money alone does not solve problems, and has described cutting open positions and returning resource teachers to classrooms as his budget approach.
"Maybe we don't need that money... throwing money at an issue doesn't solve it."
Library and classroom materials Strongly agrees· based on record
As board vice chair in November 2023 Trent moved, without the item being on the agenda, to remove about 298 books from Brevard classrooms and libraries based on a state list of titles pulled in other districts, bypassing individual review. The motion failed 3-2 and Trent said he would bring it back.
"We need to move forward. We owe it to the public."
School safety approach Leans agree· based on record
Trent has supported metal detectors in schools and expansion of the Guardian Program, which arms and trains designated school staff to respond to threats.
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: Property taxes, Education & school choice, Gender identity laws, Teacher and staff pay. 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
- Teacher pay and retention — Trent's campaign site lists 'competitive pay, professional growth' among his priorities and claims improved teacher retention as a result of his term. He did not return the 2026 voter-guide questionnaire.
Endorsements (as reported)
- U.S. Rep. Mike Haridopolos
- Brevard County Sheriff Wayne Ivey
- Space Coast Young Republicans
- Brevard School Board Chair Matt Susin
- Palm Bay Mayor Rob Medina
- U.S. Rep. Mike Haridopolos (as listed by Central Florida Public Media; Trent did not answer the questionnaire)
- Brevard County Sheriff Wayne Ivey (as listed by Central Florida Public Media; Trent did not answer the questionnaire)
- Space Coast Young Republicans (as listed by Central Florida Public Media; Trent did not answer the questionnaire)
- Brevard School Board Chair Matt Susin (as listed by Central Florida Public Media; Trent did not answer the questionnaire)
- Palm Bay Mayor Rob Medina (as listed by Central Florida Public Media; Trent did not answer the questionnaire)