Non-party affiliated candidate for Florida Governor proposes putting qualified veterans to work protecting Florida students and giving teachers greater peace of mind

NEW SMYRNA BEACH, Fla., Sept. 14, 2026 /PRNewswire/ -- After working as a substitute teacher inside a Florida public middle school recently, non-party affiliated candidate for Governor Frank J. Russo says the experience reinforced something he has believed throughout his campaign: you cannot fix a problem from behind a desk.

Russo went through the process to become a substitute teacher - including fingerprinting, a background check and drug screening - and spent the school day at David C. Hinson Sr. Middle School in Daytona Beach. The original proposal describes the experience as an effort to see firsthand what students and teachers face inside Florida public schools.

"I could sit in an office and have people hand me reports about education all day long, but that's not how I want to govern," Russo said. "I wanted to walk into a school, stand in front of a classroom, talk to teachers and students and see some of this for myself. If I'm going to ask Florida to let me help fix something, I should understand what the people living it every day are dealing with."

One thing that stood out to Russo was the physical environment surrounding schools—the fencing, gates and security measures intended to protect students but that can also make schools feel closed off from the communities they serve.

Russo believes Florida should ask a different question: Can we make schools safer while also making them feel more like schools?

Bring Down the Barriers. Bring in the Veterans.
As part of his first-100-days agenda, Russo is proposing a statewide initiative to hire qualified military veterans to help protect Florida public schools.

The proposal would prioritize qualified veterans already living in Florida and create meaningful employment opportunities for men and women who have served the country while adding trained, responsible adults to school campuses.

"We have veterans all across Florida who served this country, understand responsibility and still have an incredible amount to contribute," Russo said. "Why aren't we asking them to help us protect the next generation?"

Russo is proposing an initial $100 million state investment in the initiative. His original plan calls for beginning with K-8 schools before expanding the program and prioritizing Florida veterans in recruitment.

The details of training, screening, responsibilities and implementation would be developed alongside education, public-safety and local officials.

"This isn't about turning our schools into military bases," Russo said. "It's actually the opposite. I want our schools to feel like schools. I want teachers teaching, kids learning and parents knowing there are qualified people there whose job is to help keep them safe."

Russo said the proposal is also about remembering the thousands of veterans who finish their military service with decades of experience, leadership and training that can continue benefiting their communities.

"These men and women raised their hands and served this country," Russo said. "We should be finding ways to put that experience to work here at home. Protect our children, support our teachers and give veterans another opportunity to serve their communities."

Russo said his day as a substitute teacher was only one day - and he isn't pretending otherwise.

"I learned a lot that day, but spending one day in a classroom doesn't make me a teacher," Russo said. "The people who do this every day know these schools better than I ever will. So I'm going to keep showing up, keep listening and keep asking the same question: what did we miss?"
"That's how I believe you govern. You listen to the people actually living with the problem, and then you work together to fix it."

Russo • Rodriguez 2026
The People's Choice. The Caring Capitalists. Humanity Over the Dollar.

About Frank J. Russo: 
Frank J. Russo is a lifelong Floridian, entrepreneur, insurance executive, real estate developer,  and humanitarian with more than 40 years of business leadership, including over 30 years in the  insurance industry. Based in New Smyrna Beach, Russo is running for Governor to restore  affordability, strengthen Florida's economy, and build a government focused on practical  solutions that put Floridians first. For more information, or to volunteer or donate, visit  Russo2026.com.

Media Contact
Mary Elkordy
Press@russo2026.org

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SOURCE Frank J. Russo for Governor