Lee County voters decided to reelect school board District 1 incumbent Sam Fisher Tuesday over challenger Jenn McDaigle.
Sam Fisher secured 17,269 votes or about 58 percent, compared to 12,647 or 42 percent for McDaigle, according to the Lee County Supervisor of Elections website.
District 1 covers the northwestern parts of the school district, including Sanibel, Pine Island and most of Cape Coral west of Del Prado Boulevard. Only voters residing within District 1 could vote for this race in the primary election, regardless of party affiliation.
Four seats — District 1, 4, 5 and 6 — on the seven-member Lee County School Board were on the ballot this year.
School board candidates campaigned on platforms of fiscal transparency, teacher retention and parental rights as the district navigates a $92.4 million budget deficit and “strategic budget realignment” that has already resulted in notices for 457 staff contract non-renewals.
The School District of Lee County is home to more than 100,000 students at its 118 schools. It is the eighth-largest school district in Florida and the 27th-largest in the nation, according to the district’s 2024-25 impact report.
Meet the Lee County School Board District 1 winner
About Sam Fisher
Age: 45
Hometown: Cape Coral
Education: B.A. in Psychology from Rutgers and Juris Doctorate from Mississippi College School of Law
Experience: Attorney, small business owner of Cape Coral Pet Vet, Lee County School Board member since 2022 and former Oasis Charter School board member
Campaign priorities: Raising standards to become an “A District”, doubling capacity at Cape Coral Technical College and expanding trade pathways, school safety (smart weapons detectors and Guardian program) and managing tax dollars through administrative savings
Motivation for running: As a father of three, he wants to continue the progress made during his first term in safety and academic growth. He says he’s committed to professional, conservative leadership and putting students first.
Schools within District 1 boundaries:
Mickenzie Hannon is a watchdog reporter for The News-Press and Naples Daily News, covering Collier and Lee counties. Contact her at 239-435-3423 or mhannon@gannett.com.
Follow The News-Press & Naples Daily News throughout the Election 2026 campaign season, including Q&As with candidates running in key Southwest Florida races coming soon.
This article originally appeared on Fort Myers News-Press: Who won Lee County School Board District 1? Here’s the 2026 results
Reporting by Mickenzie Hannon, Fort Myers News-Press & Naples Daily News / Fort Myers News-Press
USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect
By Mickenzie Hannon, Fort Myers News-Press & Naples Daily News | USA TODAY Network
