Sally Bradshaw, a longtime advisor and strategist for former Gov. Jeb Bush, was appointed to the State Board of Education Monday by Gov. Rick Scott. Her appointment must be confirmed by the Florida Senate.
Bradshaw ran Bush’s gubernatorial bids in 1998 and 1994 and served as his chief of staff from 1999 to 2001. More recently she has worked as a political consultant and advised Mississippi Gov. Haley Barbour, Massachusetts Gov. Mitt Romney, and the Republican Party of Florida.
When Bush was Governor, he advocated for a number of major overhauls to the education system, including private school vouchers. He also started a pro-school choice group called Foundation for Florida’s Future that remains influential in education reform, pushing proposals to expand existing voucher programs and virtual school options.
The appointment of Bradshaw places a major Jeb Bush ally in a position of influence over Florida’s education policy.
In his first six months in office, Scott has promoted policies to expand charter schools, vouchers and virtual schools.
The State Board of Education oversees Florida’s K-12 public schools, pre-kindergarten programs, as well as Florida’s 28 colleges. Its members are appointed by the Governor.
