Yesterday was the Spring Primary election in these parts of Northern Wisconsin. Almost every position up for election was running unopposed, except for two school board seats. One vacant, one a 19 year incumbent up for re election.
When this all began there were three candidates running. The incumbent, Chris Kintop, and two others. I know Chris, have known her most of my life. She's smart, she has been a tireless advocate for the children in this community, is a huge supporter of the LBGTQ community, and disenfranchised children in general. She had my vote, no question. There is so much more work to do in the fight to get special education fully funded in our district, and Chris was leading that charge.
Being the informed voter that I strive to be, I began looking at Brooke Taylor and Ed Gallagher, to see who else I would choose to guide policy in this district. My first impression was that they appeared to be friends, and running together. Hmmm.... interesting. That could work for you, or against you. Upon further research, and from out of their own mouths, I quickly realized their religious and political ideals do not align with my own, and are in no way neutral. Neither of them have a quarter of the experience to qualify them, for me anyway, as candidates.
I started reaching out to teacher friends, as I usually do prior to a school board election. I know how hard our teachers work, and I feel a responsibility to support them, however I can. I was basically asking which of the two newbies was the lessor of two evils. The reply was unanimous. Our only hope is a write in candidate. We don't want either one.
The thought crossed my mind seriously for about two minutes. No... I don't think that's my path. I don't suffer fools lightly, or at all really. I'm a better behind the scenes player. If you're acting like an idiot, I'll probably call you one, and if you are acting like a child I will definitely treat you like one.
Fast forward to two weeks before election. A friend of mine, Melinda Yingling reached out to me, and said that a few people were writing her in because they couldn't vote for either of other two candidates running against Chris, so feel free to add her name too if we felt like it. I was elated! So, in fact, were many teachers, some of whom got her quickly set up in proper form to be a write in candidate, or else the votes wouldn't count.
In a two week whirlwind she actually received over 900 votes. When you consider that the others received roughly 2500 each, that's huge! She is the perfect person for the school board, and I really hope that she runs again, from the beginning, next time around. She listens, and genuinely cares. She's active in PTA, works for the college directly with students, and has been active in various groups, including the LGBTQ community. I don't think I've ever met a more empathetic soul. My only honest concern was for her own well being.
In the end, the new candidates went for the mud slinging angle, which played to their group, and they won both seats. Chris went high when they went low, and I'm proud of her for that, and for everything she has accomplished. I hope it's only the starting point for bigger and better things. Our kids need this kind of champion in their corner. She will always have my full support, whatever it is.
Now let's side bar on something else. There are 30 some thousand in the city of Superior. This election includes portions of Douglas County whose kids are also in the districts schools. So....50 thousand maybe? At least 45. There were 10,000 votes, give or take. Where in God's green earth were the rest of you? Why can't you pay attention for 10 minutes to learn about candidates and get off your asses for 15 minutes to vote? Why??? It's the only power you have and you're too apathetic to care. I can't understand, or excuse it. This was important. It matters who is on the school board. It matters who shapes these policies. Voter apathy makes my blood boil. Because
PEOPLE WHO HAVE RELIGIOUS POLITICAL AGENDA DO NOT BELONG ON A PUBLIC SCHOOL BOARD.
Last time I checked, that's what private school is for. I know, I went to one. Actually, to both. My world view expanded quickly once I got to public school, and I never looked back. Those last three years of high school taught me more about life than the first nine could have hoped to, but that's a blog for a different day.
Yes, my candidates lost. It happens. This really isn't sour grapes, but genuine concern for the direction things are taking. I don't mind telling you that I'm glad the youngest two in my larger family graduate next year, but I've had a hand in raising oh...a hundred or so more, who are still in school, and I'm part of a community, so I'll be paying VERY close attention to how we move forward. I'm not sure what that means today, but I'll figure it out, have no doubt!
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