Hernando School Board: Wiggins beats Galaydick to keep seat on board

BROOKSVILLE -- The status quo holds on the Hernando County School Board, as voters re-elected Robert Wiggins on Tuesday.

Wiggins garnered about 53 percent of the vote, while challenger Stephen Galaydick got about 47 percent, according to unofficial results.

"I'm just relieved this is finally over," said Wiggins, 44, a finance manager for the county's Utilities Department. "I'm proud that Hernando County gave me another four years."

Wiggins and Galaydick, both Republicans, went head-to-head four years ago, when Wiggins ousted then-incumbent Galaydick from his seat during the 1998 Republican primary. Since then, the seat has become nonpartisan.

Galaydick, 48, has been a critic of the board, especially the way it has managed its money.

"We had a lot of high hopes for this district," said Galaydick, an accounts coordinator for the Florida Lottery. "We worked awfully hard. And we did everything right, got all the right endorsements, but, at the end, you leave it up to the voters."

Galaydick could not say whether he will continue to be as active watching over the School Board. "You can't seem to get anything done without being on the board."

Even before the polls closed, Wiggins had a "pretty good feeling" about it.

Near the end of Tuesday night's board meeting, other members congratulated Wiggins, who had spent much of the last hour grinning. Wiggins thanked the board and the public and apologized for seeming preoccupied lately.

"I know it was a narrow margin," said Wiggins after the meeting. "But I think it was a positive thing."