DeSantis puts Broward School Board ally on state education board after voters reject him

Gov. Ron DeSantis on Friday appointed to the state’s top education board a political ally who badly lost his campaign to remain on the Broward County School Board earlier this week.

Daniel Foganholi, who was twice appointed to the Broward School Board by the governor last year, lost his seat by more than 20 points during Florida’s primary election Tuesday night.

On Friday, the governor appointed him to the State Board of Education, a rare promotion that will now give Foganholi oversight over K-12 education policies across the state.

The governor’s office made the announcement in a press release that says the appointment will be effective Nov. 20. DeSantis did not comment on the decision and his office did not immediately respond to a request seeking comment.

DeSantis first appointed Foganholi to the Broward School Board last April to fill the seat vacated by Rosalind Osgood, who stepped down to run for the Florida Senate. He represented District 5, which extends from northwest Fort Lauderdale to east Sunrise, and from southwest Oakland Park to northwest Plantation.

Foganholi could not run in last year’s school board election to keep his seat because he didn’t live in the district. Instead, he ran for the Coral Springs City Commission and lost.

DeSantis then re-apppointed Foganholi to the Broward School board to replace Rodney “Rod” Velez, whom voters had picked in the November election to represent District 1, which covers Hollywood, west Pembroke Pines, Miramar, north Hallandale Beach and south Dania Beach.

Velez was was unable to hold office because of his former criminal conviction. To be an elected official, a convicted felon has to have his or her civil rights restored, and Velez hasn’t done that.

Read more: Five things to know about the man DeSantis appointed twice to the Broward School Board

While serving on the school board, Foganholi led an effort to fire the district superintendent.