With the qualification deadline less than a month away, one Sarasota County School Board candidate remains unopposed and now has one-time rivals consolidating in his camp. School Board candidate Eric Robinson, former chairman of the Republican Party of Sarasota and frequent campaign treasurer for campaigns around the state, announced Wednesday that he picked up the endorsement of School Board Chairman Frank Kovach, a man Robinson at one point was prepared to challenge on the ballot.

“Eric is a constant presence at every Sarasota County School Board meeting and has been for years,” said Kovach. “He certainly understands the issues facing the board and the district, and I believe the students, staff and parents in the district will be in good hands when he is elected to fill this seat.” Kovach announced last year he would not seek re-election to the School Board, citing concerns about the injection of outside money into the local contest.

Robinson to date runs unopposed. At one point, candidate Cindy Hill was prepared to run against him but she has since withdrawn. The deadline to qualify for the School Board race is noon on June 24. The candidate also picked up endorsements from sitting School Board members Jane Goodwin and Bridget Ziegler.

If a challenger qualifies the School Board District 3 race will be held August 24. In the District 2 race, incumbent Caroline Zucker currently faces challenger Teresa Mast.