Jan. 4, 2023 8:45p; Update on 2-7 with original date correction
(WGTD)---The election isn't until spring, but the Racine School Board already has a new member.
A pastor at Covenant Presbyterian Church was the only candidate to meet Tuesday evening's filing deadline in the 3rd district. Sarah Walker Cleaveland will replace Dulce Cervantes-Contreras, who decided against seeking a full term. Cervantes-Contreras was appointed in 2021 to fill a vacancy.
In the 2nd district--a seat that's also up for election--no candidates filed completed paperwork, including the incumbent, Scott Coey. Although Coey couldn't be reached for comment, Cervantes-Contreras said Coey told her that he had fallen short of gathering the required number of valid signatures by the time the deadline rolled around. It's unclear whether Coey, who teaches in Kenosha Unified but lives in the 2nd district in Racine, will run as a write-in, or whether someone else might mount a campaign.
The only other seat up for re-election on the nine-member board is currently held by Brian O'Connell. He filed on time and will be the only candidate on the ballot in the 7th district.
In Kenosha Unified, school board president Yolanda Adams will face challenges from former board member Tony Garcia and from newcomer Lamar Madison. The three-way race necessitates a primary which will be held Feb. 21st.
Garcia announced in 2021 that he wouldn't seek re-election when his term expired in spring of 2022. Garcia told WGTD Wednesday night that he decided to run again after receiving requests from parents.
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