Republicans in Wake County were elated in 2009 when Republican-backed candidates took over the school board and in 2010 when Republicans reclaimed the board of county commissioners. The 2012 elections, though, could dilute the GOP’s power in the county, and not because it will be a particularly bad year for Republicans.
Three Republicans on the Wake County school board — John Tedesco, Chris Malone, and Debra Goldman — have either announced candidacies for higher office or expressed interest in doing so. If all three win, that would leave only one Republican on the school board, Deborah Prickett.
In the event of a vacancy, the remaining school board members vote for a replacement. With a majority of Democrats on the school board, it’s logical to assume that Democrats would be selected to fill the Republican seats, and those new appointees would remain in place for the duration of the previous Republican’s term.
So, ostensibly, Republicans’ clout on the school board could be significantly diminished. Could we see a return to pre-2009, when there was only one voice of dissent (Ron Margiotta) on the board on many issues?
