Just 64 votes separate the highest candidates vying for a seat on the Vancouver school board.
Early outcomes from Tuesday’s main present Position 2 incumbent Sandra Zavala-Ortega neck-and-neck with challenger and political newcomer Michelle Belkot with greater than 16,000 votes forged. Zavala-Ortega had 5,435 votes (33.92 p.c) in contrast with Belkot’s 5,371 (33.52 p.c). Both candidates will advance to November’s basic election.
Zavala-Ortega was appointed to the board in the spring, and mentioned Tuesday evening she was glad to see outcomes in her favor.
“I’m so grateful for all of the help I’ve had all through the marketing campaign and I believe our neighborhood has spoken,” she mentioned. “I’m excited to work towards the overall (election).”
Belkot, a procurement analyst, couldn’t be reached for remark Tuesday. Chartisha Roberts, with a background in human assets, took 21.21 p.c of the votes, and Kathleen O’Claire, a former VPS worker, had 11.34 p.c.
In Vancouver Public Schools’ different director race — Position 3 — incumbent Wendy Smith captured a plurality of votes, gathering 52.82 p.c of 15,994 complete. She will face Jorge Bailey, who acquired 33.12 p.c of votes, in the overall election.
Smith mentioned the outcomes counsel voters really feel good and assured concerning the work of the board.
“This is reassuring,” Smith mentioned, “and it makes me be ok with what we’ve been doing.”
The different challenger for Position 3, Megan Gabriel, received 14.06 p.c of the votes.
Bocanegra leads in Evergreen
Clark County’s largest school district had one contested main: Position 1. Two-time incumbent Julie Bocanegra led with a cushty margin, receiving 58.52 p.c of the 14,217 complete votes. Mike Appel was second with 35.31 p.c of the votes and advances to November. Another challenger, Raelynne Altree, captured 6.17 p.c.
Bocanegra mentioned she was “fairly happy” with Tuesday’s outcomes.
“I believe it reveals voters have religion in the work I’m doing and the folks that know me know my intentions are good and wish to do what’s greatest for the district,” she mentioned.
Battle Ground races
In Position 1, incumbent Mary Snitily, a retired educator appointed to the board in March, captured 44.53 p.c of the votes in her first election. In November she’s going to face Chloe Seppala, a 2013 graduate of the district, who completed second with 29.52 p.c.
Not solely was Snitily thrilled at advancing to November and for the chance to proceed to serve the district, however she additionally praised the neighborhood — and the candidates.
“What actually excites me is the truth that so many individuals are actually concerned and in the neighborhood,” she mentioned. “That reveals the neighborhood actually does care about what goes on in faculties. And that’s a extremely good signal.”
Devin Scroggins, a piece crew chief for the town of Battle Ground, fell to 3rd with 20.28 p.c of votes. John Siemssen Sr. was fourth with 5.67 p.c.
In Position 3, Ted Champine ran away with 83.40 p.c of the votes. Diane Langan completed second, with 11.35 p.c.
