Ron Long has qualified for the ballot for Flagler County School Board District 4 after the Flagler County Supervisor of Elections certified his petition signatures, his campaign announced.
Long submitted candidate petitions in lieu of paying the standard qualifying fee, a process that requires Florida candidates to gather a set number of verified signatures from registered voters in the relevant district. The Supervisor of Elections office is responsible for verifying that the signatures meet the legal threshold for ballot qualification.
In a campaign statement, Long said the petition drive gave him the opportunity to speak with residents across the county.
“I had such an amazing time collecting signatures throughout our county,” Long said in the statement. “What started as a petition drive quickly became something much more meaningful. I had the opportunity to meet face-to-face with hundreds of Flagler County residents and hear directly from them about their questions, concerns, and hopes for the future of our schools and community.”
According to the campaign, Long has lived in Flagler County for nearly 25 years. All three of his children graduated from Flagler County public schools. The campaign said his children pursued different paths after graduation, including military service, college, and entry into the workforce. Long currently serves on the Flagler County Planning and Development Advisory Board.
Long said his campaign is built around listening to residents, supporting students and teachers, and what he described as accountability and transparency from local leadership.
“The conversations I’ve had over the last several months reinforced just how important it is to have leaders who are accessible, willing to listen, focused on solutions, and most importantly, willing to show up and do the job,” Long said in the statement. “People want strong schools, responsible budgeting, safe learning environments, and opportunities that prepare every student for success, whether that path leads to college, trade school, military service, or directly into the workforce.”
The District 4 Race
The District 4 race currently has three candidates.
The incumbent is Christy Chong, a board-certified Family Nurse Practitioner who was first elected to the seat in 2022. Chong currently serves as chair of the Flagler County School Board.
Long is also running against Trevor Tucker, a Bunnell business owner who previously held the District 4 seat for nearly 13 years. Tucker was appointed to the board in January 2010 to fill a vacancy and won re-election in 2010, 2014, and 2018. He lost to Chong in the 2022 election. Tucker filed to run for the seat again in February 2026, setting up a rematch with Chong.
The Flagler County School Board District 4 election will be on the August 2026 primary ballot. School board elections in Florida are nonpartisan, and candidates must reside in the district they seek to represent. The deadline for candidates to file for school board races is May 11, 2026.
This article will be updated as the race develops.
