CLAY COUNTY — Because no singular candidate won more than 50% of the vote during the 2024 Florida Primary last Tuesday, the top two candidates will advance to the School Board District 2 General Election on Nov. 5.

Robert Alvero garnered the most votes in the crowded contest, receiving 8,289, or 30.14% of the total. 

“I was super excited," Alvero said during his watch party after the unofficial results were finalized. 

"I had a lot of support. Every vote counts. I was right there in front of the precinct from early morning to the evening — from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. on the primary,” he said. 

The school board race is nonpartisan — for now, unless Florida voters approve Amendment 1 — but Alvero has openly leaned conservative. He is endorsed by local Republicans and Clay County's Moms for Liberty chapter. 

Jim Hughes received 6,726 votes, which was 24.45%. As runner-up, he also qualifies for the runoff election. 

“I’m very happy with the results. Our goal for this campaign was to finish in the top two, and we succeeded in that goal," Hughes said after the results were posted. 

Hughes, a former Teacher of the Year, is endorsed by the teacher's union representing Clay County District Schools. He was able to edge out the competition against 19-year-old Matthew Mitchell and Sharon Flowers, who Clay County's Democrat Party endorsed.

While Alvero commanded a sizable lead throughout the night, Alvero's opponent in the runoff was a toss-up. 

“As we were waiting for the votes to finalize, it showed we were in third place by one vote. My granddaughter wanted to play the piano, so we sang a song together: James Taylor’s ‘Your Smiling Face,’” Hughes said. 

"Now, we're onto November," he said.