2012 Election Results Dave "Watchdog" Miner Headed to School Board After Landslide in Runoff

BRADENTON – The third time was a charm for Dave "Watchdog" Miner, who was elected to the school board with a 26-point landslide over Lakewood Ranch High teacher Rob Moates in the non-partisan District 2 runoff that could have major implications over the next few months, as the board embarks on the long process of correcting what can only be called a failed administration. 

Miner, a long-time school board activist, has been a hair shirt on an administration that was recently embarrassed by at least $8 million in missing budget funding, turning a large surplus into a three and a half million dollar deficit, leading to the superintendent's resignation in late August.

Miner has been an outspoken critic of the way the current board majority has been handling the process of auditing the bungled budget and finding a new superintendent. Having usually argued positions similar to members Julie Aranibar and Karen Carpenter, Miner's election would seem to signal a shift in power away from the administration-friendly majority that has been associated with retiring chair Harry Kinnan and returning member Bob Gause.