Sanity Returns to Wake County School Board: Koch Candidates Crushed

Updated 9:05 AM October 12: Not quite done yet: Raleigh, N.C. — Wake County voters on Tuesday elected four Democratic-backed candidates to the Wake County Board of Education, but one race is expected to end in a run-off next month [Nov. 8]. That race – between District 3 incumbent Kevin Hill, a Democrat representing north Raleigh, and Republican challenger Heather Losurdo – will determine whether there will be a shift in power for the governing board of the state's largest school system. Hill leads Losurdo with 49.7 percent of the votes but doesn't have the necessary 50 percent needed to secure a win. Losurdo, who received 39.8 percent of the vote, is the only chance now that the current majority has to remain in control of the board. She said she will ask for a run-off. . . . In a repudiation of the segregationist policies that have caused turmoil in Wake County, NC for the past two years, voters have returned a pro-diversity majority that we can only hope will vote to restore the most successful socioeconomic integration plan in the U. S.

Particularly sweet to diversity and public school advocates is the crushing of Cynthia Matson, one of the original group of resegregationist loudmouths, by Jim Martin, who supports diversity.  The other high point has to be the victory of Susan Evans over Board Chair and chief teabagger puppet, Ron Margiotta.

Kevin Hill also turned back a challenge by Tea Partier, Heather Losurdo, and Christine Kushner whomped Donna Williams.  Finally, popular Keith Sutton had no trouble in his race.

Now it is to be seen how long it will take Broadie superintendent General Tata to decide to spend more time with his family.

This is a big day for education in North Carolina.

WAKE COUNTY BOARD OF EDUCATION DISTRICT 3 (Vote For 1)	Vote Type Summary	Contest Detail Map
26 of 26 Precincts Reporting [Run-off required because Hill did not reach 50 percent]
Percent Votes Kevin L. Hill (D) 49.70% 8,083  Heather Losurdo 39.87% 6,485 Jennifer Mansfield 8.15% 1,326 Eric Wayne Squires 2.16% 351 Write-in 0.12% 19 16,264

WAKE COUNTY BOARD OF EDUCATION DISTRICT 4 (Vote For 1)	Vote Type Summary	Contest Detail Map
19 of 19 Precincts Reporting
Percent Votes Venita Peyton 18.99% 1,992 Keith A. Sutton (D) 80.89% 8,486 Write-in 0.12% 13 10,491

WAKE COUNTY BOARD OF EDUCATION DISTRICT 5 (Vote For 1)	Vote Type Summary	Contest Detail Map
18 of 18 Precincts Reporting
Percent Votes Jim Martin (D) 67.34% 6,198 Cynthia Chiklis Matson 32.27% 2,970 Write-in 0.39% 36 9,204

WAKE COUNTY BOARD OF EDUCATION DISTRICT 6 (Vote For 1)	Vote Type Summary	Contest Detail Map
33 of 33 Precincts Reporting
Percent Votes Christine Kushner (D) 59.39% 11,783 George W. Morgan 3.33% 661 Mary Ann Weathers 3.37% 669 Donna Williams 33.68% 6,683 Write-in 0.23% 45 19,841

WAKE COUNTY BOARD OF EDUCATION DISTRICT 8 (Vote For 1)	Vote Type Summary	Contest Detail Map
20 of 20 Precincts Reporting
Percent Votes Susan P. Evans (D) 52.10% 7,100 Ron Margiotta 47.81% 6,515 Write-in 0.10% 13 13,628