Gerald Washington

Neutral

I recognize that this issue involves deeply held ethical, religious, medical, and legal beliefs. Because there are sincere and well-reasoned perspectives on both sides, I do not believe it is a simple question with a single answer. I support respectful dialogue and thoughtful policies that consider both the value of human life and the rights, health, and circumstances of pregnant individuals.

Schools should provide a safe, supportive, and nonjudgmental environment for students experiencing an unwanted or crisis pregnancy. Their role is to ensure students have access to counseling, accurate information about available resources, healthcare referrals, and academic accommodations so they can continue their education. Schools should respect the rights and privacy of students while encouraging family involvement when appropriate and legally permissible. The goal should be to support the student's well-being, safety, and educational success rather than advocate for a particular personal, political, or religious viewpoint.

Agree

While helping borrowers is a worthwhile goal, broad student loan forgiveness transfers costs to taxpayers, including many who did not attend college or have already repaid their loans. I believe assistance should be targeted toward those facing genuine financial hardship rather than applied universally. At the same time, long-term reforms should focus on making higher education more affordable and reducing the need for excessive borrowing.

I support strong public funding for education from Pre-K through college because education is an investment in our workforce, economy, and communities. Funding should prioritize student achievement, teacher support, career and technical education, and accountability. I also support expanding dual enrollment, workforce training, and affordable pathways to higher education while ensuring taxpayer dollars are spent efficiently and transparently.

To me, separation of church and state means public schools should neither promote nor discourage any religion. Schools should respect every student's right to freely practice their faith or choose not to practice one, so long as it does not disrupt the educational environment or infringe on the rights of others. Public schools should remain welcoming and inclusive while protecting the constitutional rights of all students.

Neutral

ICE plays an important role in enforcing federal immigration laws and addressing public safety concerns involving individuals who violate those laws. At the same time, immigration enforcement should be carried out fairly, consistently, and with respect for due process and human rights. I support secure borders, lawful immigration, and policies that protect both public safety and constitutional rights.

Strongly Disagree

I believe public schools should focus on academics, student well-being, and age-appropriate health education rather than partnering with organizations that provide abortion or gender-affirming medical services. Schools should refer students to parents, guardians, licensed healthcare providers, and community resources when appropriate. Decisions involving these issues are best made by families and medical professionals, not the school system.

Strongly Agree

A safe and orderly classroom is essential for learning. Students should understand that actions have consequences, and disciplinary policies should be applied fairly, consistently, and with due process. At the same time, schools should address the root causes of misconduct through counseling, intervention, and family involvement when appropriate. Accountability and support should work together to promote student success.

Strongly Agree

I believe students should receive a strong education in the Declaration of Independence, the Constitution, the Bill of Rights, and other founding documents to better understand our nation's history, government, and civic responsibilities. Schools should encourage informed citizenship, respect for democratic principles, and appreciation for our country's ideals while also promoting critical thinking and respectful discussion of history.

Strongly Disagree

I believe the federal government has an important role in ensuring equal access to educational opportunities, protecting students' civil rights, and supporting disadvantaged communities. While states and local school districts should maintain primary control over curriculum and daily operations, a federal role helps promote accountability, provide critical funding, and ensure all students have access to a quality education regardless of where they live.

I support age-appropriate, medically accurate instruction on human anatomy, the reproductive system, abstinence, consent, healthy relationships, contraception, pregnancy and fetal development, sexually transmitted infections, and the physical and emotional consequences of sexual activity. Instruction should be factual, objective, and involve parents whenever possible. Schools should educate, not promote personal or political viewpoints.

Mathematics, Language Arts, Science, Civics, American History, Information Technology, Personal Finances, Vocational Learning, Physical Fitness, Art & Music, Foreign Language, Social Emotional Learning. I do not believe Political Activism, Critical Race Theory, Sexuality, or Gender Identity should be priorities of K-12 public education. Schools should focus on academic excellence, career readiness, and responsible citizenship.

Strongly Agree

Public schools should prioritize strong academic achievement while helping students develop character traits such as integrity, responsibility, respect, perseverance, and civic responsibility. A quality education should prepare students to be informed citizens by teaching American history, civics, and the principles of constitutional self-government, while equipping them with the knowledge and skills needed to succeed in college, careers, and life.

Strongly Agree

I support school choice because it gives families the opportunity to select the educational environment that best meets their child's needs. Healthy competition encourages all schools to improve academic performance, innovation, and accountability. At the same time, public schools must remain strong and well-funded so every student has access to a high-quality education, regardless of the school they attend.

Strongly Disagree

I believe fairness, privacy, and safety should guide these policies. Women's sports and sex-specific spaces were created to protect opportunities and privacy based on biological sex. I support treating every individual with dignity and respect while maintaining fair athletic competition and preserving privacy in places such as locker rooms, bathrooms, shelters, and correctional facilities.

I am a lifelong Christian and believer in Jesus Christ as my Lord and Savior. My faith guides my commitment to integrity, compassion, humility, service, and personal responsibility. I believe every person has inherent value and should be treated with dignity and respect. My decisions are grounded in biblical principles, while recognizing my responsibility to serve all members of the community fairly, respectfully, and in accordance with the law, regardless of their personal beliefs or background.

Strongly Agree

Parents are a child's first and most important teachers and should have the primary authority over their child's education, healthcare, and moral development. Government and schools should respect parental rights by maintaining transparency, encouraging family involvement, and partnering with parents to support student success while ensuring every child has access to a safe, high-quality education.

Strongly Agree

I believe Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.'s vision remains an important principle for our nation. Every person should be treated with dignity, respect, and equal opportunity, and judged by their character, integrity, and actions rather than the color of their skin. Schools should teach equality, personal responsibility, and mutual respect while fostering an environment where every student has the opportunity to succeed.

Neutral

As a Christian, I believe marriage is a sacred covenant ordained by God. At the same time, I recognize that civil marriage is governed by the law and that people hold different religious and legal views on this issue. I respect the constitutional rights of all individuals while maintaining my personal faith and beliefs. My role in public service is to serve every member of the community fairly, respectfully, and in accordance with the law.

Agree

I believe individuals experiencing mental health conditions deserve compassionate, evidence-based care tailored to their individual needs. Treatment should prioritize thorough medical and mental health evaluation, counseling, and informed decision-making. Every person should be treated with dignity, respect, and compassion while receiving care that is guided by qualified healthcare professionals and the best available evidence.

Neutral

Literary value alone should not automatically exempt a book from review for age appropriateness in K-12 schools. Students should have access to diverse, high-quality literature, but schools also have a responsibility to ensure materials are appropriate for the maturity level of the students they serve. Decisions should be made through a transparent review process involving educators, parents, and established educational standards.

Neutral

Election integrity and voter access are both important. I support reasonable voter identification requirements, provided they do not create unnecessary barriers for eligible voters. Governments should ensure every qualified voter can easily obtain a free photo ID and have reasonable alternatives available in exceptional circumstances, while maintaining public confidence in the integrity and security of our elections.

No. I have never been convicted of a felony. Although I was arrested and charged in 2016, I was not convicted. I entered a no contest plea to certain charges, and adjudication of guilt was withheld, meaning there was no formal judgment of conviction.

No.

2014 Democratic Primary 2014 General Election 2016 Democratic Primary 2016 General Election 2018 Democratic Primary 2018 General Election 2020 Democratic Primary 2020 General Election 2022 Democratic Primary 2022 General Election

Democratic

Lean Conservative

I consider myself lean conservative because I value faith, personal responsibility, parental rights, constitutional freedoms, fiscal responsibility, and strong public safety. At the same time, I believe in practical, evidence-based solutions, maintaining equal educational opportunities, and treating every person with dignity and respect. I evaluate issues on their merits rather than strictly along party lines.

Neutral

I support strong school security, but I believe decisions about armed faculty should be made carefully at the local level. Escambia County already has a Guardian Program for trained personnel. I also support establishing a dedicated school district police department staffed by certified law enforcement officers to enhance campus safety, provide rapid response, and build positive relationships with students and staff.