Diaz, Howard win Peoria school board seats

Final election results confirm victories for two newcomers on Peoria Public Schools board.

Apr. 1, 2026 at 9:37pm

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The final results from the March 17 primary elections in Peoria County, Illinois have been announced, with Andy Diaz and Sarah Howard officially winning open seats on the Peoria Public Schools Board of Education. Diaz, a marketing consultant at Caterpillar, defeated Bradley University professor David Leitch, while Howard secured her victory.

Why it matters

The Peoria Public Schools board oversees the district's policies, budget, and strategic direction, making these elections important for the community. Diaz and Howard's wins bring new perspectives to the board, which could impact decisions around funding, curriculum, and other key issues facing the district.

The details

Diaz, who works as a marketing consultant at Caterpillar, campaigned on a platform of improving fiscal responsibility and directing more resources to classrooms. Howard, a first-time candidate, focused her campaign on advocating for students, teachers, and families. Both defeated their opponents in the March 17 primary to claim the open board seats.

  • The primary elections were held on March 17, 2026.
  • The final results were announced on April 1, 2026.

The players

Andy Diaz

A marketing consultant at Caterpillar who won an open seat on the Peoria Public Schools Board of Education.

Sarah Howard

A first-time candidate who won an open seat on the Peoria Public Schools Board of Education.

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What they’re saying

“I am tired of hearing we don't have money for something when our executives are not performing as they should and that's impacting the families, the children and teachers in our district.”

— Andy Diaz, Peoria school board member

The takeaway

The new Peoria school board members, Diaz and Howard, bring fresh perspectives that could lead to changes in how the district allocates resources and addresses the needs of students, teachers, and families.