“We have to talk about accountability,” Gallo said. “Taxpayer-funded vouchers are draining millions of dollars away from our public schools with little to no oversight, no transparency, and no guarantee of equality education.

“ We can’t fix a house by stripping it for parts. We must invest in the schools. We already have the one serving every child, every day, no matter their zip code, income or background. America was built on differences. Differences of thought, faith, culture, and experience. That is our greatest strength.”

Held on the restaurant’s patio and emceed by Gallo’s affable husband Vince with a short speech from her school-teacher daughter, the event drew attendees from across three counties and Orange County Democratic leadership to support Gallo’s bid.

Democratic State Reps. Rita Harris and Anna V. Eskamani attended as did Democratic State Sen. Carlos Guillermo Smith and the chair of the Orange County Democratic Party, Samuel Vilchez Santiago. Angel de la Portilla, president of the Orlando government and business consulting firm Central Florida Strategies, joked that he was the "token Republican" at the event.

Gallo is president of the Florida School Board Association so it was no surprise to see current and former school board members turn out: From Orange County, there were School Board Members Maria Salamanca of District 2 and Melissa Byrd of District 7. School Board Members Kristine Kraus and Autumn Garick came from Seminole County and Julius Melendez formerly of the Osceola School Board, lent his support.

Pam Gould, who served on the Orange County School Board 2012 to 2024 but no longer lives in Orange County, endorsed Gallo, saying, in part, “If you've served with Angie, you certainly know that she is not only compassionate and laser-focused on the success of every student in Orange County, but is a great listener. And I think those two characteristics are the most important thing.”

Last week, Farrant took a shot at Gallo in the conservative news outlet Florida's Voice, saying that while Gallo had many “accolades and achievements,” she “lack[ed] … courageous leadership.” In the same article, Farrant said that as the demographics of the county shift, the school district is “at a crossroads.” She pointed to the election of Zohran Mamdani as New York City’s mayor as the kind of liberal politics she did not want to see replicated in Florida.

Gallo addressed the comment briefly without mentioning Farrant’s name, saying, "Yes, we are at a crossroads, but not the ones they described. We can walk the path of division and fear, or we can choose the road of unity and purpose. … I choose the road that keeps our focus where it belongs on students, teachers and the future of public education. A future that includes full-day VPK in every elementary school, classrooms that are engaged … a system that removes barriers so every child can reach their full potential and feel excited to come to school every day ... A place where teachable moments matter more than test scores. Where testing informs instruction but does not define it. A district that's full, a district that's fully funded to strengthen early literacy through the science of reading and deliver evidence-based supports in math and science.”