OCALA, FL (352today.com) – Marion County voters will decide the District 5 school board seat on November 3, 2026, when incumbent Chair Dr. Sarah James faces first-time candidate Donald “Donny” Barber in a runoff.
James received 31,511 votes (49.2 percent) in the Aug. 18 primary, falling just short of the majority needed to win outright. Barber received 22,577 votes (35.2 percent). Ualthan Bigby finished third with 9,989 votes (15.6 percent) and was eliminated.
The nonpartisan race is voted on countywide. James, who took office in November 2022, is seeking a second term. Barber, a lifelong Marion County resident, is city manager of Archer and works in business development for a Gainesville engineering firm…