Kimberly Coward
Coward is an attorney who previously worked as a guidance counselor in Dade City and served as a captain in the U.S. Air Force Judge Advocate General's Corps. She holds a doctorate in education and a law degree from the University of Florida. She is a candidate for the District 1 seat on the Nov. 3, 2026 ballot.
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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.
Education & school choice Mixed / neutral· stated position
Coward says she supports school and parent choice when it helps students, but she is concerned about falling enrollment at lower-performing schools. She wants every public school strong enough, and teachers paid better, so that families do not feel they have to leave.
"If it helps students to do well, I support school choice, I support parent choice."
Teacher and staff pay Leans agree· stated position
Coward's website says supporting students requires investing in teachers, counselors, bus drivers, paraprofessionals, cafeteria workers and support staff through competitive pay, improved retention and better working conditions. She does not say pay should come ahead of other district spending.
"Supporting our students requires investing in the people who care for them through competitive pay, improved retention, professional respect, and positive working conditions."
School safety approach Leans disagree· stated position
Coward's campaign website, quoted on Ballotpedia, says true school safety requires addressing students' emotional, mental and social well-being alongside secure facilities and safety protocols. A former guidance counselor, she calls for improving the student-to-counselor ratio as youth anxiety, depression and suicide attempts rise.
"In addition to maintaining secure facilities and strong safety protocols, we must also address the emotional, mental, and social well-being of our students."
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, 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
- Safe and supportive schools — Coward's campaign site lists 'Safe & Supportive Schools' as a priority, described as ensuring every student learns in a safe, respectful and supportive environment. She has not detailed specific safety or discipline proposals.
- Safe and supportive schools — Coward's campaign site lists 'Safe & Supportive Schools' as a priority, described as ensuring every student learns in a safe, respectful and supportive environment. She has not detailed specific safety or discipline proposals.
- Equitable access and academic achievement — Coward's website says educational inequities compounded by the COVID-19 pandemic left underserved children behind, and that she is committed to improving academic achievement, supporting student mental health, sustaining enrollment and ensuring equitable access to schools, programs and transportation.
- Counselors and student mental health — Puts student mental health at the top of her list; said at a recent forum she would ask state leaders to fund more guidance counselors.