By Adam Pagnucco.
In school board elections, the two most important endorsements come from the Washington Post and the Montgomery County Education Association (MCEA), owner of the much-coveted Apple Ballot. The Post sat out the primary this year but has now endorsed in the general. Candidates who receive both the Post and the Apple are rarely defeated. Races in which the two endorsements split can go either way. (Check out the history of recent races here.)
With the Post engaged, here is the split for the four school board seats in play. I am also listing the endorsements of SEIU Local 500, which represents support staff in MCPS and has had a strong political program over the years. Note that all voters can vote in all races; the district seats are for residency purposes only.
At-Large
Karla Silvestre (incumbent): Post, SEIU Local 500
Mike Erickson (challenger): Neither
The Apple has not endorsed in this race.
District 1 (Open Seat)
Grace Rivera-Oven: Post, Apple and SEIU Local 500
Esther Wells: None of the three
District 3
Scott Joftus (appointed incumbent): Post, SEIU Local 500
Julie Yang (challenger): Apple
District 5
Brenda Wolff (incumbent): Post, SEIU Local 500
Valerie Coll (challenger): Apple
The Apple’s picks for school board. Credit: MCEA Facebook page.
SEIU Local 500’s general election bus ballot. Credit: SEIU Local 5oo website.
Note the fact that MCEA has not endorsed any incumbents, which reflects their frustration with the school system at the moment. In contrast, SEIU Local 500 has endorsed every incumbent running. Since this is a general election, Republicans and independents get to vote. We shall see how this year’s duel between the Post and the Apple plays out!