Republican Denise Carlin was elected as the new superintendent for the School District of Lee County Tuesday night, a position that has not been left to the voters to decide since the 1970s.

Carlin received 247,929 votes, 68.08%, and her opponent Democrat Victor Arias received 116,227 votes, 31.92%.

She will serve a four-year term.

School Board Chair Sam Fisher provided a statement on her election as well as the election of three board members, two of them new.

“On behalf of the School Board of Lee County, we extend our congratulations to Dr. Denise Carlin on her election as Superintendent of Schools. We also warmly welcome back Melisa Giovanelli and welcome new board members Bill Ribble and Vanessa Chaviano. We are united in our commitment to continuously improve the learning environment to ensure every student has the opportunity to reach their fullest potential,” he said in a prepared statement.

“We look forward to working hand in hand with Dr. Carlin and are eager to support her vision and leadership as she embarks on this important role. Together, we will ensure a seamless transition and a strong, promising future for our students and our district.”

Carlin could not be immediately reached for comment Tuesday night.

Election results are not official until certified.

Lee County voters approved the change from appointive to elected office via a referendum in November of 2022.

The measure, which was placed on the ballot by the State Legislature and was opposed by the School Board of Lee County, passed with 62.15 percent of the voters in favor, making the superintendent’s post another elected constitutional office in Lee County as of the 2024 General Election.

The existing system of having the superintendent appointed by the School Board had been approved by Lee voters in 1974.

Carlin, 57, a Lee County resident of 55 years, was a former educator for the Lee County School District for 32 years and former Chief of Staff.

Carlin received her associates of arts degree in 1989 from Edison Community College; bachelor’s degree in elementary education from the University of South Florida in 1991, her master’s in education leadership in 1994 from the University of South Florida in 1994 and Ed. D. in educational leadership in 2002 from the University of South Florida.

She sits on the board of directors for New Horizons of SW Florida.

The top three issues she wants to address are safe and secure schools, increased student achievement and fiscal responsibility.