Megan Harding will keep her seat on the Pasco County School Board after crushing challenger Michelle Mandarin in Tuesday's District 5 primary, taking 72.1% of the vote on Aug. 18 with all 122 precincts reporting, according to the Hernando Sun.

The margin was 44 percentage points. No November runoff is needed.

Harding, a 13-year classroom teacher first elected in 2018, won a third term representing northwest Pasco, which includes parts of Wesley Chapel. Superintendent John Legg endorsed her during the campaign, and she outraised Mandarin nearly five to one, pulling in $20,300 to Mandarin's roughly $4,100, according to a Hernando Sun campaign-finance analysis published Aug. 6.

"I am incredibly grateful to the people of Pasco County for once again placing their trust in me," Harding said on election night, according to the Tampa Bay Times. "Tonight's landslide victory is a strong affirmation of the work we have done together."

Mandarin, a parent activist and podcaster, ran on improving reading proficiency and classroom discipline. She positioned herself as a check on the administration, arguing the board too frequently acts as a rubber stamp. Her supporters also criticized Harding for backing a staff decision to let a bus driver accused but not charged with child abuse keep his job. Mandarin ran for district superintendent two years ago.

What it means for Wesley Chapel families

Harding's return gives the board continuity as it implements a new classroom screen-time policy that took effect Thursday, Aug. 13, at Wiregrass Ranch High, Wesley Chapel High, Cypress Creek High and every other Pasco public school. The policy caps passive screen time at 30 minutes a day in kindergarten and first grade and 60 to 90 minutes in high school.

The district also earned its first overall A grade from the state in more than a decade this year. But the incoming board faces a November property tax referendum, projected enrollment declines of about 2,001 traditional students in 2026-27 and potential school closures or mergers, according to a district planning workshop document. Growth remains concentrated near Wesley Chapel even as the district shrinks overall.

Two seats still undecided

Districts 1 and 3 produced no majority winner Tuesday. In District 1, Kimberly Coward and Gino Collura advanced to the Nov. 3 general election. In District 3, Matt Geiger and Mollyana Ward will face off the same day.

Countywide turnout was 21.5%, with 86,103 ballots cast out of 400,459 registered voters, according to the Pasco Supervisor of Elections.