To no one's surprise, the leadership of the Wake County Republican Party is endorsing Deborah Prickett in the District 7 school board race.
There wasn't much doubt about the GOP's choice at this point considering that Karen Simon, the other candidate in District 7, is a Democrat. While Prickett isn't a Republican, she is at least an unaffiliated voter.
This is the second go-around in District 7 for the GOP. The GOP had previously endorsed fellow Republican Jerry Ballan before he had dropped out of the race.
Now the Wake GOP, the Wake Schools Community Alliance and Take Wake Schools Back are all backing the same four school board candidates. In the other races, they're backing Chris Malone in District 1, John Tedesco in District 2 and Debra Goldman in District 9.
The Children's PAC hasn't released endorsements yet.
The Wake County Democratic Party is backing Rita Rakestraw in District 1, Simon in District 7 and Lois Nixon in District 9.
Here's the GOP press release:
WAKE COUNTY REPUBLICAN PARTY ENDORSES DEBORAH PRICKETT FOR BOARD OF EDUCATION IN DISTRICT 7
RALEIGH, N.C. – August 12, 2009 – The Executive Committee of the Wake County Republican Party has endorsed Deborah Prickett for the Wake County Board of Education race in District 7. The school board elections will be held on October 6, 2009.
“Deborah represents the core values and priorities needed to put the Wake County Public School System back on track, including community schools, student stability, common sense decisions, forward-thinking ideas to improve education quality, and fiscal responsibility,” said Claude E. Pope, Jr., Chairman of the Wake GOP. “She is the best qualified candidate for this race and she will fight hard for the children and families in Wake County.”
The Republican endorsement is given on the basis of a vote of the party’s executive committee, which met Tuesday night at the NCGOP headquarters on Hillsborough Street in Raleigh.
Comments
I agree that politics have
Fri, 08/14/2009 - 12:15 — changewcpssI agree that politics have no place in school decisions but I will give credit where due. Excellent call Republicans. Ouch, it hurt my Dem self to say that but she deserves this one.
Congratulations
Wed, 08/12/2009 - 14:11 — concerned2to all the people who have put our children above partisan ideology. I find it a shame that none of our good, old fashioned, southern Democrats have had the courage to step out from behind the existing power structure to do what is right for our kids. If they would have had that courage, we would have a broad coalition to choose from that would work for real change in our school system.
We can't blame it on the Republicans or Independents that no Democrat was bold enough to stand up for our kids over the status quo.
Regardless of how you feel about the candidates or parties and other dynamics of the race, the fact remains that most parents in Wake County are clamoring for real change on our School Board. If the Democrat party, who championed 'change' last year, would have embraced that, I would be supporting Democrat candidates. If we would have had all unaffiliated candidates espousing real change, I would support them. As it stands, we've got a coalition of Republicans and an Unaffiliated who are willing to help the families of Wake County.
I want what's best for my children, and that means reform. I'm backing the candidates this year who will bring that, and frankly I don't care what party they are or are not affiliated with!
I applaud the GOP for standing up for principles over labels. I wish the Democrats would do the same.
Thank you, Concerned2
Wed, 08/12/2009 - 21:28 — SDR256Thank you, Concerned2 for expressing what I know so many folks are feeling. Personally, I'm unaffiliated, but I know that many Democrats who are part of WSCA feel the same way. And, frankly, so do many of the Republicans. Politics nas no place when it comes to what is best for children.
I would have been very interested in voting for a Democrat or a purple ailen from Mars, if one had stood up and spoken like they cared about children above policies, children above a system, children above administration, children above politics.
Education and children - first priorities for the new WCPSS!
I am thinking
Wed, 08/12/2009 - 13:10 — AngelaWpeople can't read;
http://www.wakesca.org/
We are a non-partisan, diverse cross-county network of citizens taking action towards a better WCPSS solution. The Oct '09 Board of Education elections will see WSCA-backed candidates willing to listen to parents and citizens. We believe that academic excellence and stability for each student are necessary components of a better solution.
“We are a non-partisan,
Wed, 08/12/2009 - 15:50 — MorrisVMorris“We are a non-partisan, diverse cross-county network of citizens taking action towards a better WCPSS solution.”
Non-partisan who only endorse Republican and unaffiliated (ashamed Republicans)
Cross-country =Cary
Change = Send the black kids back to their neighborhood
(^.^)
Wed, 08/12/2009 - 22:02 — TrailerParkGirlNon-partisan - what are people supposed to do when the only candidates put forth by the Dems are not innovative and just support more of the same failures
Cross-county = CROSS-COUNTY - that is why out of WSCA's 12 chapters, 11 are NOT in Cary
Change = academic success as the first priority for ALL students, stability, voluntary calendar options, and moving forward with innovative solutions
Enough with the race-baiting. First, race is not a factor in the current assignment policy. Second, the reason I personally became involved in education issues in Wake County was because my white daughter was reassigned away from her best friend who is black. I know that may be hard for someone like you who prejudges people based on race to understand. Third, I live in a diverse area and support WSCA. Fourth, the approach of the last nine years has failed to close the achievement gap and more of the same focus on schools over students is not acceptable to me.
SHAME!
Wed, 08/12/2009 - 21:52 — SDR256I realize that thinking about actual ideas, considering the complexities and subtleties involved here, and resisting the temptation to boil all this down into inflammatory headlines is almost more than you may be able to handle, but regardless of your shortcomings - - SHAME ON YOU! Do you just want to keep the pot stirred or do you want to help solve things? This does NOTHING to bring people together, build understanding, bridge communities. This does NOTHING to help children. You don't know any of us who find fault with the status quo (OH big crime in THAT!), you have NOTHING to base this accusation on. Your accusation about change is ONLY about politics - completely, solely, singulary. You are destructive and reckless with this big blind weapon. SHAME on you. This is irresponsible and your mother would be ashamed.
Wow, right on schedule
Wed, 08/12/2009 - 16:32 — RichardAndersonChange = Send the black kids back to their neighborhood
When you have no facts, throw out the race card. FYI, I have Black neighbors, Asian neighbors, Hispanic neighbors, all kinds. Maybe you chose to live in a segregated area, but I don't. I don't support that system.
Oh, and FYI country and county. Two different things.
WSCA=GOP I am thinking
Wed, 08/12/2009 - 13:06 — MorrisVMorrisWSCA=GOP
I am thinking "unaffiliated" is a Republican that is ashamed of what the party has become.
I would have preferred to see boarder political diversity from WSCA.
Labels
Wed, 08/12/2009 - 14:17 — concerned2If all you have are labeling games, then you really have nothing to add to this conversation.
I don't care if it is a Rep, Dem, Lib, Green, Ind, or other political group. If they will work for the change I feel is necessary, I will support them.
If voters would concentrate on issues, parties would be irrelevant. It's people like you who blindly follow a label that give political parties any power at all.
Think for yourself for once!
Democratic Party = Status
Wed, 08/12/2009 - 14:42 — thegloveDemocratic Party = Status Quo. They support status quo board members, endorse status quo candidates and promote continued failed education policies in Wake County.
WSCA = Change that is needed ....change that is DEMANDED by the citizens of Wake County and will lead to success and a more family- and student-friendly environment
"I am thinking "unaffiliated" is a Republican that is ashamed of what the party has become."
You call that "thinking"? A thinking person would recognize that the GOP is embracing an attractive platform that will benefit Wake County even though it did not come from the Republican ranks. That is a very honorable thing and I find it encouraging for the future of the GOP in Wake County... and a testiment to their new leadership.
The Status Quo Are All Democrats Aren't They?
Wed, 08/12/2009 - 13:37 — JanisTangoWSCA is not a GOP group. There are plenty of WSCA people I've worked with that are affliliated with both parties! Our common goal is getting the best education for all kids! Nice try, but wrong.
Ah the old smear
Wed, 08/12/2009 - 13:15 — RichardAndersonWSCA=GOP
That is what is said about every parent group. Here is the cold, hard fact - BOTH political parties have failed public education. Right now, the Democrats are on the inside, the Republicans on the outside. All the Republicans are trying to do is get back in. Were the positions reveresed, the Democrats would do the same thing. That is the game they play.
I would have preferred to see boarder political diversity from WSCA.
As would I, but when you can't find a Democrat who doesn't stand behind the WCPSS failures and claim them to be successes, what is WSCA to do?
Do what is right
Wed, 08/12/2009 - 09:20 — RichardAndersonMs. Prickett, please do what is right, stand as an independent and say that you did not seek this endorsement, so while you are flattered that it is given, you will not accept being named the Republican candidate. Having the courage to stand above politics and parties would be amazing.
Why?
Wed, 08/12/2009 - 10:45 — Bob_SconceWhy alienate a group of voters? It's not as if the endorsement came from the Mafia. If it were me, I would say "As an independent, I reject party labels. It's good to see the republicans moving in that direction also, and I thank them for their endorsement. I'm hoping that the democrats will endorse me as well."
Good point
Wed, 08/12/2009 - 11:39 — RichardAndersonI never considered the alienating bit. My bad. I agree it is nice to see the Republican Party willing to embrace an independent.
Right On!
Wed, 08/12/2009 - 11:22 — thegloveCandidate platforms should be more about good
ideas and less about political ideology and affiliations ...especially in non-partisan
races. I tip my hat to the Republican Party for keeping an open mind and endorsing an
unaffillitated
candidate that offers good ideas for improving education in the county.
It is becoming increasingly clear that Prickett's positions -- and
those of the other WSCA-endorsed candidates for that matter -- appeal to a very broad
spectrum of people...including, now, the Republican Party leadership in
Wake County. Kudos to the GOP for taking a leadership position in the arena of ideas.