Victor Sims
Sims, 30, is a senior program officer whose career has been in child and family advocacy and social work. He is a former foster youth from Polk County who says he attended 12 schools, and he is the parent of a child with an individualized education plan. He holds degrees from Polk State College, the University of South Florida, Florida International University and Florida State University's law school, and finished second in the August 2026 District 3 primary.
How they got on the ballot: Second in Aug 18 primary with 35.8% (31,212)
Campaign finance: state and county candidates file with the Florida Division of Elections or the county Supervisor of Elections. Search contributions ↗
Sources last checked 2026-10-09. 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 disagree· stated position
Supports the district's 1-mill property-tax referendum on the Nov. 3 ballot, which would raise money mostly for employee pay.
Education & school choice Leans disagree· stated position
Has called the voucher system a primary threat to public education because of the transfer of state funds, though he says he would accept a voucher to home-school his own daughter.
"I can have concerns about the impact that a major expansion of vouchers may have on Florida's public education system while also recognizing that the program exists"
Library and classroom materials Strongly disagrees· stated position
Says a parent may keep their own child from a challenged book, but other parents should be able to choose to opt in; one family's objection should not decide for all.
"If a parent doesn't want their child reading a challenged book, I respect that. But another parent should have the ability to review it and choose to opt in. One family's choice shouldn't have to become every family's choice."
Teacher and staff pay Leans agree· stated position
Sims made "Backing Our Teachers & School Staff" one of three campaign messages, calling for better pay, stronger retention efforts and working conditions that keep teachers in the profession, and said the same applies to bus drivers, cafeteria workers and aides. His campaign website calls for competitive salaries for staff.
"We need to respect that with real investment—better pay, stronger retention efforts, and working conditions that allow teachers to actually stay in the profession they love."
School safety approach Leans disagree· stated position
Sims said student mental health resources, along with IEP and ESE services, should be consistently reachable across the district, and he tied school success to support systems for children inside and outside the classroom. His website lists school safety as a responsibility but he framed his approach around student supports rather than policing or discipline.
"That means strengthening academic support, expanding opportunities in arts and career pathways, and making sure services like IEPs, ESE support, and student mental health resources are actually reachable and consistent across the district."
No public position found on 2 issues
We searched campaign sites, questionnaires, interviews, votes and official actions and did not find a clear stance on: Property taxes, 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
- Early literacy — Sims calls for strong early literacy instruction grounded in phonics, early screening, tutoring and other timely interventions, and engaging families early.
- School safety — Sims lists safety as one of four campaign priorities, describing himself as 'Dedicated to Safety,' but his campaign site does not set out specific safety or discipline proposals.
- Early literacy — Sims calls for strong early literacy instruction grounded in phonics, early screening, tutoring and other timely interventions, and engaging families early.
- School safety — Sims lists safety as one of four campaign priorities, describing himself as 'Dedicated to Safety,' but his campaign site does not set out specific safety or discipline proposals.
- Special education and student services — Sims said families should not have to fight to get the IEP and ESE services their children are entitled to, and that those services should be consistent across the district.
- Foster care and child welfare — Sims, a former foster youth and social worker, said he is passionate about strengthening foster care and child welfare systems because stability at home shapes success at school.
- Career pathways and transparency — Sims called for stronger parent engagement and transparency in district decision-making, and for preparing students for college, trades, military service or local careers.
- Fundraising — Just under $45,000 raised through Sept. 18 (vs. more than $78,000 for Wallace).
Endorsements (as reported)
- Run for Something
- School Board Integrity Project
- Oath of Office
- Polk Education Association PAC
- Florida Education Association
- The School Board Project
- Southern Poverty Law Center Action Fund
- Equality Florida Action PAC
- Lakeland City Commissioner Terry Coney
- Haines City Mayor Vernel Smith
- Three Lake Wales city commissioners