As part of our commitment to providing you with what you need to make an informed decision in the 2026 elections, News 6 joined with the News Collaborative of Central Florida to present the Voting Central Florida 2026 Voter’s Guide.
Tuesday, Aug. 18 is the Florida Statewide Primary election, a mix of party primaries and nonpartisan local elections, such as school board races, judicial races, and county commission races in some counties.
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[ELECTION 2026: Make sure you’re eligible to vote|How to vote by mail|Election Myths]
Florida has a closed primary system, which means only members of a political party may vote in party primaries. To be eligible, a voter had to identify with that party by July 20.
However, judicial races and local races, for the most part, are open to all registered voters, regardless of political party.
Everything you need to know in order to vote in the Aug. 18 Statewide Primary, including how to vote by mail, vote early, and vote on Election Day, can be found in our Election 2026 section HERE.
Marion County School Board District 3
The Marion County School Board has five districts. These are nonpartisan races, so they are open to all voters.
School Board District 3 encompasses voters in the southwestern part of the county. You can see a map of the area HERE.
The News Collaborative of Central Florida created a list of common questions to ask the candidates. Questionnaires were sent to all candidates.
Not all of the candidates responded. Where candidates did not respond, we have filled out the information to the best of our abilities.
News 6 compiled the candidate responses for Marion County School Board District 3, emailing and calling the candidates over several weeks. Responses were edited for spelling and grammar, but otherwise left intact.
Eric Cummings - Incumbent
WEBSITE: https://electericcummings.com/
FOR INCUMBENTS: Why do you deserve to be re-elected in this race? I’ve served on the Marion County School Board since 2018, and I’m proud of the steady progress we’ve made, but we can still do more. We’ve worked hard to stabilize and improve our district rankings after years of decline, even with all the challenges Florida schools face. I stay accessible to parents—I answer calls and work directly with families on issues. Education is a team effort, and I bring parents, teachers, administrators, and the community together. With my background as a pastor and former law enforcement officer, I’m committed to safe schools, supporting our kids and families, smart spending, and backing our teachers. I’m not done yet—we’re heading in the right direction, and I want to keep that momentum going for our students.
TOP ISSUES
What are the three most pressing problems happening in your district, and what do you suggest to solve them? Please put your responses in the sections below.
Problem Number 1 and Solution: The first challenge is improving student achievement. We have to identify struggling students early and implement targeted strategies that will improve students’ outcomes while working with the parents and all available resources to help the kid be successful.
Problem Number 2 and Solution: The second challenge is recruiting and retaining outstanding teachers and staff. Great schools begin with great educators. We must continue working to offer competitive pay, meaningful professional development, strong mentoring programs, and a positive work environment where employees feel respected and supported.
Problem Number 3 and Solution: Maintaining safe schools. Parents should never have to worry whether their child will be safe when they leave home each morning. That means continuing to invest in campus security, mental health resources, emergency preparedness, and strong partnerships with law enforcement while creating school environments where every student feels valued and connected.
How would you handle district budget issues? A school budget should reflect our priorities. My priority has always been students, so I believe in smart spending that puts students first. We have to be responsible with taxpayer dollars—focus on what directly helps kids learn, supports teachers, and keeps schools safe and well-maintained. That means careful oversight, transparent decisions, and avoiding waste while planning for growth. I’ve supported strong audits and prioritizing essential needs during my time on the board, and I’ll continue that approach.
How should the district handle teacher shortages? The best way to recruit great teachers is to become the kind of district where teachers want to stay. That starts with competitive salaries and benefits, but it doesn’t end there. Teachers also want supportive administrators, opportunities to grow professionally, manageable workloads, and classrooms where they can focus on teaching. We should continue building partnerships with colleges and universities to strengthen our teacher pipeline while investing in mentoring programs that help new educators succeed from day one.
Florida ranked last for academic growth in reading. How would you improve that? I believe that Reading is the foundation for academic success. We have to identify reading challenges as early as possible and provide students with the supports they need before they fall behind. That includes strong classroom instruction, targeted interventions, tutoring, family engagement, and ongoing progress monitoring. We also have to empower our teachers with high-quality instructional materials and professional development so they have every opportunity to help students become confident readers.
What changes, if any, would you make to school safety policies? Safety is my top priority. We’ve strengthened partnerships with local law enforcement and continue to review what works best for our schools. I support practical policies that protect students and staff without creating unnecessary burdens. As a former law enforcement officer, I understand security, and I’ll keep pushing for measures that give parents confidence while letting kids focus on learning.
How should book challenges and library removals be handled? The Marion County School System has an easily accessible book review policy that is in alignment with state regulations. We should follow the established policy, which ensure that parental rights are not being overlooked and that children are being exposed to inappropriate reading materials. Our goal is to make sure library materials are suitable while still encouraging kids to read and learn.
What outside organizations or endorsements are supporting your campaign? I’m grateful for support from individual donors and people in the community who know my record. In past races, I’ve had backing from local leaders and parents who care about our schools. I run as a non-partisan candidate focused on kids, not politics, and I welcome support from anyone who wants strong, steady leadership for Marion County schools. I recently received the recommendation from the Ocala Marion County Association of Realtors.
If elected, what policy would you try to pass in your first year? If re-elected, I want to continue strengthening policies that improve student outcomes. That includes expanding efforts to improve literacy, supporting attendance initiatives. I would also push to expand successful initiatives like academic recovery programs and year-round learning options where they are feasible. We also need to keep strengthening vocational and career education so our students are ready for the real world. Most importantly, I’ll focus on policies that reinforce safe schools, better support for teachers, and smart use of resources to help every child succeed.
Steve Swett
WEBSITE: https://www.facebook.com/groups/411268367575572/
FOR CHALLENGERS AND OPEN SEATS: Why do you deserve to be elected in this race?
Marion County School District has been in the bottom third of Florida school districts for years. It is currently ranked a C district by the Florida State Education Department. The district has failed its fiduciary duty to the students, staff and taxpayers of Marion County. A new perspective and new leadership is required. Marion County cannot accept the status quo; I am a change agent.
TOP ISSUES
What are the three most pressing problems happening in your district, and what do you suggest to solve them? Please put your responses in the sections below.
Problem Number 1 and Solution: Student Proficiency. Strong focus on early literacy. Public reading plans in every school. Monthly progress monitoring. Targeted remedial training at all grade levels.
Problem Number 2 and Solution: Fiscal Responsibility. Conduct a line-by-line review, eliminate waste and increase transparency and public accountability, focus spending on students, teachers, and classrooms. Ensure long-term financial stability.
Problem Number 3 and Solution: Managing Growth. Marion County continues to grow-use enrollment data to guide decisions, address overcrowding before it becomes a problem, plan responsibly, prepare for future growth without unfair burden to taxpayers.
How would you handle district budget issues? Keen oversight and sound management. Line-by-line budget review. Site-based budget and review every avenue of cost-cutting and savings.
How should the district handle teacher shortages? Respect, support and empower teachers. Reduce unnecessary bureaucracy and mandates. Provide the tools, training and authority to teach effectively. Ensure local savings go directly to frontline staff and classrooms. Teaching is a noble profession, our decisions must reflect that.
Florida ranked last for academic growth in reading. How would you improve that? Strong focus on early literacy, public reading plans at all grade levels, benchmarks that are clear and realistic, monthly progress monitoring and targeted remedial training.
What changes, if any, would you make to school safety policies? I would urge the school board to give full authority to the elected Sheriff of Marion County and do away with the unneeded School Safety Department. The Sheriff’s Office provides the School Resources Officers. The present in-house School Safety Department is bureaucratic created department that present duties the Sheriff can handle. It will provide more safety.
How should book challenges and library removals be handled? By following Florida State law and having a sincere interest in monitoring what is available to students. There are good existing methods to remove age inappropriate from public schools. Parental involvement is key.
What outside organizations or endorsements are supporting your campaign? None at present. I am not a part of any establishment organization. I am sure I will pick up some valid conservative organization endorsements.
If elected, what policy would you try to pass in your first year? All policy should focus on student achievement and budget. It can be done.