Race for D4 seat on Brevard's school board heads to November runoff between Susin, Taylor

The four-person District 4 primary race for Brevard's school board will head to a November runoff after no candidate took more than 50% of the vote, forcing a general election rematch between the top two vote-getters.

Out of 24,484 votes, Matt Susin led the race with 11,899 votes (48.60%) and will face off against mom and member of the U.S. Navy Avanese "Ava" Taylor, who took 8,038 votes (32.83%).

"I am honored to have the support of so many in our community," Taylor said. "This runoff represents a crucial moment for our schools, and I am committed to ensuring that every voice is heard and that we make the best decisions for our students, teachers and families."

Susin did not respond to FLORIDA TODAY's request for comment.

Former teacher Keith Schachter and recent Viera High School graduate Max Madl came in behind Susin and Taylor, with Schachter nabbing 2,621 votes (10.70%) and Madl taking 1,926 (7.87%).

Susin, who was initially elected to the board in 2016, ran on a platform of expanding school safety, increasing career and technical education opportunities and parental rights.

Throughout his time on Brevard’s school board, he’s had a conservative stance on most issues, like his favorable response to expanding the guardian program (which allows certain BPS employees to carry guns), the removal of certain books from schools and allowing school chaplains to volunteer with the district under a new Florida law.

“We should allow the pastors to be part of our schools from a mentorship perspective to not only help the students ... but then also for our teachers to understand what's happening back home,” Susin said at a July forum when asked his opinion regarding chaplains at schools.

Taylor, who was inspired to run for school board after her son was the victim of a hazing incident at Viera High School in August of 2023, has had a more middle-of-the-road viewpoint on most issues: She’s in favor of the guardian program, but doesn’t want guns in the hands of untrained civilians; she feels the selection of books should be left to “trained professionals,” or media specialists; and that allowing chaplains into schools would likely create an issue for kids of other religions.

“As a woman of faith, I understand the value that a chaplain program could bring, but I don't support the program,” she said at the same July forum. “If you have a chaplain for one religion and not the other, then is that going to be equitable?”

District 4 encompasses the central part of Brevard, including Viera, Suntree, the Satellite Beach area, and parts of Eau Gallie and Rockledge.

Because no candidate took more than 50% of the vote, Taylor and Susin will face off in a runoff in November.

Immediately following Tuesday's election, Schachter threw his support behind Taylor, saying that he was glad to see the race was going to a runoff and that he hoped voters would support her in November.

"We really do need balance, and the way in which our school board has been tee'd up ... there just seems to be a good old boys system in our local school system and I'm not behind that," he said. "(Taylor's) going to provide much-needed balance and oversight to our board, and I am going to be 100% behind her."

As for Madl, he said he'll be supporting Susin during the runoff, adding that he looked back at the race with gratitude.

"Running for public office at 18 has been an invaluable experience, and I am profoundly thankful for the opportunity to engage with my community in such a meaningful way," he said. "This experience has only strengthened my commitment to public service, and I look forward to continuing to advocate for the issues that matter most to us."

A fifth candidate, Crystal Kazy, entered the race in April, but withdrew in June before the qualifying period ended.

The position has a four-year term, and an annual salary of $48,725.

With her gaze set on the runoff, Taylor promised to strive to help the community.

"I will continue to work hard to earn your votes and trust, as we strive together to create the best possible future for our district," she said.

Campaign finances

Of the four candidates, Susin both raised the most and spent the most on his campaign, raising $72,893 in cash contributions (including $10,150 from himself), $1,500 in in-kind contributions and spending $51,337.67.

Taylor raised $19,879 in cash contributions (including $800 from herself) and $2,864.32 in in-kind contributions (including $98.13 from herself). She spent $13,919.10

Schachter raised $11,845 in cash contributions (including $8,450 from himself) and $1,623.07 in in-kind contributions (including $1,198.07 from himself), while he spent $7,497.66.

Madl raised the least of the four candidates, nabbing $4,326.1 in cash contributions (including $1,050 from himself) and $319.27 in-kind contributions (including $301.84 from himself). He spent $4,228.72.

Results

Here are the results from 37 of 37 precincts:

Madl: 1,926 (7.87%)

Schachter: 2,621 (10.70%)

Susin: 11,899 (48.60%)

Taylor: 8,038 (32.83%)

Finch Walker is the education reporter at FLORIDA TODAY. Contact Walker at [email protected]. X: @_finchwalker.

This article originally appeared on Florida Today: District 4 race for Brevard school board advances to November runoff