Heidi Brandt

Non-Partisan | Florida

Heidi Brandt websites FacebookBallotpedia

Candidate Profile

Sarasota County Schools School Board, District 1 Florida Republican Primary and School Boards | August 18, 2026

Conservative

BIOGRAPHY

EDUCATION

Gustavus Adolphus College, St. Peter, BS, 1998-2002

WORK & MILITARY

Candidate did not provide

AFFILIATIONS

Southside PTO, VP, 2024-2025

Southside PTO, President, 2025-2026

Southside Foundation for the Arts, Board Member, 2025-2026

Southside Foundation for the Arts, President, 2026-

Lido Key Residents Association, Board Member, 2016-2024

Republican Women's Club of Sarasota, 1st VP, 2024-

POLITICAL OFFICES HELD

Candidate did not provide

POLITICAL OFFICES SOUGHT

Sarasota County School Board, 2026-

ENDORSEMENTS

CONSERVATIVE (2)

Joe Gruters

Sarasota County Republican Party

OTHER (1)

Fiona McFarland

REPORTED BY CANDIDATE (2)

Fiona McFarland

Joe Gruters

SELECTED CONTRIBUTIONS

CONSERVATIVE
GIVEN BY CANDIDATE (1)

Fiona Fuller McFarland (2024)

RECEIVED BY CANDIDATE (0)

SELECTED FINANCIAL SOURCE DOCUMENTS

Complete list of candidate's Campaign Finance Reports can be found on the Sarasota County Supervisor of Elections website.

QUESTIONNAIRE

RIGHT TO LIFE

Human life deserves legal protection from conception until natural death.

Agree

What role should the school serve in helping a student with an unwanted or crisis pregnancy?

As a mom, my heart goes out to any student facing a crisis pregnancy. Every young person deserves compassion, support, and access to trusted adults during a difficult time. The role of our schools is to provide a safe, caring environment, follow state law and district policy, and connect students with the appropriate counselors, resources, and organizations best equipped to meet their individual needs. We are fortunate in Sarasota to have nonprofit organizations that we could connect students with. My priority will always be the well-being of the student while ensuring families are respected and schools remain focused on their primary mission, which is educating our children.


ECONOMY

Student loan forgiveness unfairly shifts the financial burden to those not responsible for student debt.

Agree

What is your position on government funding of public education from Pre-K through college?

I believe every child deserves access to a high-quality education, and public schools remain the foundation of that commitment. Additionally, parents know their children best and should have meaningful educational options to meet their individual needs. My priority is to ensure that all publicly funded schools are accountable, provide excellent educational opportunities, and prepare students for future success. I will work to strengthen our Public Schools so they remain families' #1 choice.


RELIGIOUS LIBERTY

With regard to public schools, what does "separation of church and state" mean to you?

As a Christian, my faith is an important part of who I am, and I respect the role faith plays in many families' lives. I also recognize that our public schools serve students from many different faith traditions and backgrounds. To me, the separation of church and state means that the government should not establish or favor one religion over another. Our schools should foster a culture of respect where every student is valued and free to practice their faith without fear of discrimination.


IMMIGRATION

U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) enhances the safety and security of communities by identifying and detaining illegal aliens.

Agree


EDUCATION

Abortion and gender-affirming providers, including Planned Parenthood, should be a resource for instruction or services in the school.

Disagree

Consequences for bad behavior create a safe and orderly environment, which is essential for student learning.

Agree

Educators should give students a thorough education in America's founding documents and cultivate American patriotism.

Agree

I support eliminating the U.S. Department of Education and giving control back to states and communities.

Choose not to answer

If you support the teaching of Sex Ed, please answer the following question: Sexual education should include these topics (list all that apply and add your own, if needed) -- abortion methods and side effects; abstinence; consent; contraceptive methods; human anatomy/the reproductive system; physical and emotional health outcomes; sex acts and pleasures of sex; sexual orientation and gender identity; stages of pregnancy and fetal development

I believe in Health Education at the appropriate age. I don't believe sex acts and pleasures of sex; sexual orientation and gender identity should be part of healh education.

Please list in order the following priorities in relation to the role of a K-12 public school (omitting any that do not apply): American History, Art & Music, Civics, Critical Race Theory, Foreign Language, Gender Identity, Information Technology, Language Arts, Mathematics, Personal Finances, Physical Fitness, Political Activism, Science, Sexuality, Social Emotional Learning, Vocational Learning

I believe in a well-rounded education for all. I am not going to list these in any particular order of importance, but the subjects that i see as priorities: American History, Art & Music, Civics, Foreign Language, Information Technology, Language Arts, Mathematics, Personal Finances, Physical Fitness, Science, Vocational Learning. It does upset me that "social emotional learning" got a bad "wrap," but socializing and learning how to express emotions is important in our younger grades.

Public schools should prioritize academic achievement and building character necessary to preserve American traditions and self-government.

Agree

School choice creates competition, and that competition will push public schools to improve their educational systems.

Agree


VALUES

Biological males should be allowed to participate in women's sports or occupy biological women's spaces whether it be bathrooms, locker rooms, sorority houses, women's shelters, or prison.

Strongly Disagree

Briefly describe your spiritual beliefs and values.

I am a Christian, and my faith shapes how I live my life and serve my community. I have been called to lead with integrity, kindness, humility, and compassion. I believe in treating others with respect, serving others before myself, and being a good steward of the responsibilities I've been given. While people may have different beliefs, I hope my actions always reflect grace, honesty, and a genuine desire to help others.

Government should recognize and support the fundamental right and essential duty of parents to direct their child's health and educational well-being.

Agree

I support the teachings of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., that people should be judged by the content of their character and not the color of their skin.

Agree

Marriage is a God-ordained, sacred and legal union of one man and one woman. No government has the authority to alter this definition.

Choose not to answer

Mental health conditions such as anorexia and gender dysphoria need to be treated, not affirmed.

Agree

School library books that have literary value, as determined by experts, should be exempt from obscenity laws.

Choose not to answer

Who are the experts?


ELECTIONS AND VOTING

People should be able to vote without photo identification.

Strongly Disagree


ABOUT YOU

Have you ever been convicted of a felony? If so, please explain.

no

Have you ever been penalized for sexual misconduct in either civil or criminal court? If so, please explain.

no

I voted in these primaries and general elections:

2016 General Election 2018 General Election 2020 Republican Primary 2020 General Election 2022 Republican Primary 2022 General Election

I also voted in 2024 Republican Primary and General Election

What political party are you affiliated with?

Republican Party

When you consider your views on a wide range of issues from economic and social matters to immigration and religious liberty, which of the following best describes you overall?

Conservative


2ND AMENDMENT

Faculty who are licensed to carry and have had ongoing training should be allowed to carry guns at school in order to respond to an active shooter situation.

Choose not to answer

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