Local politics matter. New Southern Majority helps communities build power from the ground up by uplifting pro-justice local candidates running for office in the Deep South. Here are the victories for positive change that NSM and our donors helped make possible in 2026:
2026 Highlighted Victories
School Board Chair, Orange County, Florida
In Orange County, Florida, longtime student advocate Angie Gallo went up against Moms for Liberty (M4L) member Alicia Farrant. Both candidates were already members of the Orange County School Board (OCSB) and were now seeking to lead it. But while Gallo has a history of standing up for strong public education, Farrant’s time on the board included pushing book bans and railing against an LGBTQ+ awareness month proclamation. New Southern Majority supported Gallo with independent digital ads that ran in Orange County, which reached an audience of about 125,000. On Election Day, she defeated Farrant in a 60-40 landslide, proving once again that communities are sick of M4L influence in schools.
Congratulations to Board Chair Gallo and the voters of Orange County!
School Board Member for District 2, Orange County, Florida
Self-described “Public School Mom” Gloria Reina O’Neal faced local GOP-backed Marisol Lugo in her bid for the Orange County School Board (OCSB) District 2 position. Both were running to replace the incumbent, who did not seek reelection. New Southern Majority supported O’Neal with independent digital ads that ran in Orange County, which reached an audience of about 65,000. On Election Day, she defeated Lugo by nearly 3,000 votes.
Congratulations to Board Member O’Neal and the voters of Orange County!
School Board Member for District 1, Orange County, Florida
As the executive director and co-founder of the Orlando Center for Justice (OCJ), Melissa Lopez Marantes is no stranger to advocating for Florida’s children and families. She ran for the Orange County School Board (OCSB) District 1 seat — then held by NSM-backed Angie Gallo, who was running for board chair — against David Shepard, who was endorsed by the Orange County Republican Party. New Southern Majority supported Lopez Marantes with independent digital ads that ran in Orange County, which reached an audience of about 40,000. On Election Day, she defeated Shephard by over 3,700 votes.
Congratulations to Board Member Lopez Marantes and the voters of Orange County!
School Board Member for District 1, Osceola County, Florida
Greg Filak took on former Osceola County School Board member (2002 to 2018) Jay Wheeler for the District 1 seat. Both were running to replace the incumbent, then-Vice Chair Terry Castillo, who did not seek reelection. Filak spent 17 years as a volunteer firefighter and served as vice chair of the Osceola County school district’s Business Advisory Board. Wheeler has a history of paying fines to the Florida Elections Commission for misuse of campaign funds. New Southern Majority supported Filak with independent digital ads that ran in Osceola County, which reached an audience of about 30,000. On Election Day, he defeated Wheeler by over 1,600 votes.
Congratulations to Board Member Filak and the voters of Osceola County!