The contest for Manatee County School Board District 4 features a crowded field of four candidates, James F. Daniel Jr., Scott L. Hopes, Richard A. Murphy, and Joseph L. Stokes.
The incumbent and current board chair, Hopes, was appointed by Gov. Rick Scott in 2017 to fill a vacancy on the board, and the Bradenton health care executive faces voters for the first time in the August 28 primary. His first full-time job was as a public school teacher.
Daniel is a certified public account and deacon and business director for his church whose wife and two children work in the education field.
Murphy worked in business management after high school and served on the Hendry County school board from 1994-2008. He became a teacher in 2005 in 2008 and served as superintendent of the Hendry County school district from 2008-2012.
Stokes is a former principal who also served as director of elementary education for Manatee County schools and spent 45 years in the education field before retiring in 2016.
If no one receives at least 50 percent of the vote in the Aug. 28 primary, the top two vote-getters will compete in the general election on Nov. 6.
Don't miss this one! Join us on Thursday, July 19th to meet our candidates for Manatee County School Board District 4!