Tammie McClafferty will join the St. Johns County School Board after defeating Jillian Tozer by more than 21 percentage points in the Nov. 3 election.

McClafferty received 17,599 votes to Tozer’s 11,338, winning 60.82% of the vote, according to the county’s unofficial results updated Nov. 6 at 1:54 p.m. Her margin was 6,261 votes.

All nine participating precincts had reported, although mail-ballot reporting remained partial and the results were not certified.

Campaign disputes

The nonpartisan District 4 contest included disputes over religion and transgender policies, the St. Johns Citizen reported.

Tozer’s advertising criticized McClafferty’s emphasis on Christ-centered values. McClafferty characterized Tozer as a far-left activist and questioned her responses to a questionnaire about transgender participation in women’s sports and access to facilities.

Tozer said she would comply with Florida law and later stated that she opposed allowing males in girls’ sports, bathrooms and locker rooms.

Voting breakdown

McClafferty won early voting 9,244 to 5,791 and Election Day voting 6,143 to 3,020. Tozer led among mail voters, 2,527 to 2,212.

The candidates advanced to November after neither received a majority in the August primary, which also included Leif Jonassen.

Fundraising figures reported by Hoodline, citing Jacksonville Today, showed McClafferty had raised $28,853 by July 24, compared with Tozer’s $5,165. Those figures describe the primary campaign period rather than final election totals.

Two newcomers join the board

McClafferty succeeds Kelly Barrera, who did not seek reelection. Kevin Allen also joins the five-member board after defeating District 1 incumbent Beverly Slough in August with 52.22% of the vote.

District 3 Chair Jennifer Collins was reelected without opposition. Anthony Coleman Sr. represents District 2, and Linda Thomson represents District 5; neither seat was up this year.

District 4 includes Nocatee and Ponte Vedra communities. Its schools include Ponte Vedra High, Allen D. Nease High and Valley Ridge Academy, according to the district’s board directory.

McClafferty’s education background includes teaching, school administration and university work. She holds a doctorate in organizational leadership in education and leads Lifework Leadership First Coast, a faith-based organization in Jacksonville.

Upcoming meetings

The board’s next regular meeting is Tuesday, Nov. 10, at 4:30 p.m. A reorganization meeting follows Tuesday, Nov. 17, at 9 a.m.

Both meetings will take place at the district administration building, 40 Orange St. in St. Augustine, with remote access through Webex. Details are available on the district’s meeting-notices page.