A Manatee County School Board official is considering a drastic career change.
- Manatee school board official running for state legislature
- Jason Montgomery is the Supervisor of Athletics for Manatee County
- Montgomery to campaign for changes to health care, environment, jobs, education
Jason Montgomery is the Manatee County Supervisor of Athletics, but is now changing up the game plan and running for state legislature.
“State House 40th district, which represents greater Lakeland and part of Polk County,” Montgomery said.
While Montgomery would represent the Lakeland area, he said he has deep ties to the entire Bay area.
After coaching at Manatee High, Montgomery was promoted to his supervisor position with the county.
The idea to run stemmed from frustration Montgomery got while working with Tallahassee in his current role, and not getting the transparency he wanted.
“Even in our legislative session here in the state that just ended, just a firm belief that the best interest of Floridians and the constituents aren’t. It’s all about party lines now,” Montgomery said.
Montgomery, a Democrat, is going up against Republican incumbent Colleen Burton.
“It’s going to be an uphill battle. I’m facing a two term incumbent that has a lot of party support behind her and financial support behind her. It’s a process that anyone else faces in campaigns—getting your word out and getting your message out,” he said.
While Montgomery has no background in politics, he believes that is what makes him most qualified for change.
“I think it takes people outside of the realm of politics to really commit to going in there and changing the culture,” he said.
Montgomery's platform includes changes in health care, the environment, jobs, and education—starting with raising funding in public schools across the state.
Democrat Shandale Terrell is also running for the district 40 seat.