BOE election candidates 2024

[Anonymous]

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Anonymous wrote:Rolling Stone has taken notice of the Bethany Mandel campaign:

https://www.rollingstone.com/politics/politics-features/bethany-mandel-conservative-school-board-1234968716/

This is just click-bait.

She's not running as a Democrat. It's a nonpartisan race. She's registered as a Democrat because in this county it's the only way to have an impact on the primary race. I wish MD had open primaries.

Signed,
Stewart supporter

Someone should let Stewart it’s a nonpartisan race.

Signed,
A Democrat who voted for Jawando and Mink

When one of your opponents is Bethany Mandel, I don't think it's possible to campaign without mentioning partisan political issues.

It’s not the issues that bother me. It’s the “Vote for me because I’m a leader in the women’s democratic club” that bothers me.”

It's a relevant part of her background, no? Do you think she just shouldn't mention it?

Vote for her, don't vote for her, it's your decision not mine, but I do think it's interesting how the vast majority, like 90% of posts, on this thread are about one candidate, as though nobody else were running for BoE. It's also interesting how apparently this one candidate is bad both because she hides her background and also because she doesn't hide her background.

+1 I didn't come into this conversation as a huge Stewart fan and in fact, am the first person who said that I wasn't inclined to vote for her because she seemed like a nice white lady who is reluctant to ask difficult questions.

However, the addition of Mandel to this race changes everything for me. She is someone who has a stated platform of making life difficult for families like mine. That overrides any less significant concerns I have about Stewart.

Moreover, the thing about being a Democratic party official seems like a nothing burger. I don't think it makes the race partisan, and I see it as just signaling that she is politically engaged beyond school stuff. That's fine and normal, particularly in this area.

Same here in terms of being on the fence before Mandel entered the race. Now that she's running, I feel like we need to do everything we can to make sure she doesn't win. With Shebra Evans proving she can win a couple elections already, I'm inclined to vote for her again. I'm worried that a vote for Laura Stewart is a vote for Mandel, since it will split the reasonable vote and empower Mandel going into the general. I don't love any incumbent in this race, but given their track record of getting elected, I'd rather put my chips on someone who has proven they can win already rather than run the risk of letting a crazy person get a seat on the boe.

The first time Shebra ran, she faced Jill Ortman-Fouse, and Shebra lost. The next two times she ran, Shebra has not had significant competition. In fact, Shebra may not have had any opponent in 2020. I can't find that information online. So, in terms of Shebra being the more likely to be reelected because she is the incumbent, I don't know I put much belief in that. Especially this year, after the problems this last year with MCPS.

Shebra Evans defeated Steve Solomon in 2020. She received 273,000 votes, the most out of any candidate that ran in any BOE race that year.

Steve Solomon likes to run for office without bothering to learn anything about the issues. I am not surprised that Shebra Evans beat him handily, as the incumbent. This year, being an incumbent may prove to be a liability for Evans and Laura Stewart is a highly competent candidate who understands both policy and fiscal issues and who has worked for years on education issues.

Yes, we get it. Laura Stewart is an insider and has helped make MCPS what it is today.

It doesn't make any sense that supporters of Shebra Evans would use "Laura Stewart is an insider" as a campaign point, so I assume these posts are coming from supporters of Bethany Mandel. In the last two elections, the Hate Slate candidates portrayed themselves (unsuccessfully) as just plain regular concerned parents. I sure hope Bethany Mandel doesn't try that.

Do you also see Bethany Mandel hiding in the bushes near the bus stop? She really seems to be in your head. You might think about getting help.

Bethany, are you aware that no one likes you? That you are mocked by legitimate news organizations? You are a joke and we don’t want you anywhere near our kids.

The calls are coming from inside the house!

Seriously though...she might be as I just saw a Fox ad about a show about 'wokeness' on this page. "shivers"

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Rolling Stone has taken notice of the Bethany Mandel campaign:

https://www.rollingstone.com/politics/politics-features/bethany-mandel-conservative-school-board-1234968716/

This is just click-bait.

She's not running as a Democrat. It's a nonpartisan race. She's registered as a Democrat because in this county it's the only way to have an impact on the primary race. I wish MD had open primaries.

Signed,
Stewart supporter

Someone should let Stewart it’s a nonpartisan race.

Signed,
A Democrat who voted for Jawando and Mink

When one of your opponents is Bethany Mandel, I don't think it's possible to campaign without mentioning partisan political issues.

It’s not the issues that bother me. It’s the “Vote for me because I’m a leader in the women’s democratic club” that bothers me.”

It's a relevant part of her background, no? Do you think she just shouldn't mention it?

Vote for her, don't vote for her, it's your decision not mine, but I do think it's interesting how the vast majority, like 90% of posts, on this thread are about one candidate, as though nobody else were running for BoE. It's also interesting how apparently this one candidate is bad both because she hides her background and also because she doesn't hide her background.

+1 I didn't come into this conversation as a huge Stewart fan and in fact, am the first person who said that I wasn't inclined to vote for her because she seemed like a nice white lady who is reluctant to ask difficult questions.

However, the addition of Mandel to this race changes everything for me. She is someone who has a stated platform of making life difficult for families like mine. That overrides any less significant concerns I have about Stewart.

Moreover, the thing about being a Democratic party official seems like a nothing burger. I don't think it makes the race partisan, and I see it as just signaling that she is politically engaged beyond school stuff. That's fine and normal, particularly in this area.

Same here in terms of being on the fence before Mandel entered the race. Now that she's running, I feel like we need to do everything we can to make sure she doesn't win. With Shebra Evans proving she can win a couple elections already, I'm inclined to vote for her again. I'm worried that a vote for Laura Stewart is a vote for Mandel, since it will split the reasonable vote and empower Mandel going into the general. I don't love any incumbent in this race, but given their track record of getting elected, I'd rather put my chips on someone who has proven they can win already rather than run the risk of letting a crazy person get a seat on the boe.

The first time Shebra ran, she faced Jill Ortman-Fouse, and Shebra lost. The next two times she ran, Shebra has not had significant competition. In fact, Shebra may not have had any opponent in 2020. I can't find that information online. So, in terms of Shebra being the more likely to be reelected because she is the incumbent, I don't know I put much belief in that. Especially this year, after the problems this last year with MCPS.

Shebra Evans defeated Steve Solomon in 2020. She received 273,000 votes, the most out of any candidate that ran in any BOE race that year.

Steve Solomon likes to run for office without bothering to learn anything about the issues. I am not surprised that Shebra Evans beat him handily, as the incumbent. This year, being an incumbent may prove to be a liability for Evans and Laura Stewart is a highly competent candidate who understands both policy and fiscal issues and who has worked for years on education issues.

Yes, we get it. Laura Stewart is an insider and has helped make MCPS what it is today.

Which is why I’m voting for Mandel. Time for new blood on the BoE even if they have different points of view. Tired of the BoE rubber stamping whatever the super and CO says

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Rolling Stone has taken notice of the Bethany Mandel campaign:

https://www.rollingstone.com/politics/politics-features/bethany-mandel-conservative-school-board-1234968716/

This is just click-bait.

She's not running as a Democrat. It's a nonpartisan race. She's registered as a Democrat because in this county it's the only way to have an impact on the primary race. I wish MD had open primaries.

Signed,
Stewart supporter

Someone should let Stewart it’s a nonpartisan race.

Signed,
A Democrat who voted for Jawando and Mink

When one of your opponents is Bethany Mandel, I don't think it's possible to campaign without mentioning partisan political issues.

It’s not the issues that bother me. It’s the “Vote for me because I’m a leader in the women’s democratic club” that bothers me.”

It's a relevant part of her background, no? Do you think she just shouldn't mention it?

Vote for her, don't vote for her, it's your decision not mine, but I do think it's interesting how the vast majority, like 90% of posts, on this thread are about one candidate, as though nobody else were running for BoE. It's also interesting how apparently this one candidate is bad both because she hides her background and also because she doesn't hide her background.

+1 I didn't come into this conversation as a huge Stewart fan and in fact, am the first person who said that I wasn't inclined to vote for her because she seemed like a nice white lady who is reluctant to ask difficult questions.

However, the addition of Mandel to this race changes everything for me. She is someone who has a stated platform of making life difficult for families like mine. That overrides any less significant concerns I have about Stewart.

Moreover, the thing about being a Democratic party official seems like a nothing burger. I don't think it makes the race partisan, and I see it as just signaling that she is politically engaged beyond school stuff. That's fine and normal, particularly in this area.

Same here in terms of being on the fence before Mandel entered the race. Now that she's running, I feel like we need to do everything we can to make sure she doesn't win. With Shebra Evans proving she can win a couple elections already, I'm inclined to vote for her again. I'm worried that a vote for Laura Stewart is a vote for Mandel, since it will split the reasonable vote and empower Mandel going into the general. I don't love any incumbent in this race, but given their track record of getting elected, I'd rather put my chips on someone who has proven they can win already rather than run the risk of letting a crazy person get a seat on the boe.

The first time Shebra ran, she faced Jill Ortman-Fouse, and Shebra lost. The next two times she ran, Shebra has not had significant competition. In fact, Shebra may not have had any opponent in 2020. I can't find that information online. So, in terms of Shebra being the more likely to be reelected because she is the incumbent, I don't know I put much belief in that. Especially this year, after the problems this last year with MCPS.

Shebra Evans defeated Steve Solomon in 2020. She received 273,000 votes, the most out of any candidate that ran in any BOE race that year.

Steve Solomon likes to run for office without bothering to learn anything about the issues. I am not surprised that Shebra Evans beat him handily, as the incumbent. This year, being an incumbent may prove to be a liability for Evans and Laura Stewart is a highly competent candidate who understands both policy and fiscal issues and who has worked for years on education issues.

Yes, we get it. Laura Stewart is an insider and has helped make MCPS what it is today.

Which is why I’m voting for Mandel. Time for new blood on the BoE even if they have different points of view. Tired of the BoE rubber stamping whatever the super and CO says

Her 'points of view' will harm students

[Anonymous]

Mandel is a homeschooler affiliated with Stephen Miller, architect of Trump's family separation policy. Never getting my vote or anywhere close to a winning share in a MoCo election. But, she will get plenty of press for being in the race, which is probably her real goal.

[Anonymous]

I'm not voting for Mandel because I think she's a nut, looking for personal attention and to throw bombs- not actually improve the student experience. Period.

That leaves Evans and Stewart.

While I think the entire current board deserves intense scrutiny over the Biedleman scandal, McKnight buy-out with no announcement of the financial details, and many other reasons...

Ultimately I will go Evans over an activist like Stewart.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I'm not voting for Mandel because I think she's a nut, looking for personal attention and to throw bombs- not actually improve the student experience. Period.

That leaves Evans and Stewart.

While I think the entire current board deserves intense scrutiny over the Biedleman scandal, McKnight buy-out with no announcement of the financial details, and many other reasons...

Ultimately I will go Evans over an activist like Stewart.

You "think the entire current board deserves intense scrutiny" ... and so you will vote for the incumbent, because the other person is an "activist". Huh.

[Anonymous]

What was hard to understand about my post?

Mandel is a hard no. Not considering her.

Stewart IMO would be focused on activist stuff. Performative social issues. I would prefer a candidate focus on the basics- bringing up our sad test scores, improving school safety, reliable transportation, etc. I'm also concerned about her previous positions on busing for equity, and please to raise taxes.

You are welcome to vote as you wish.

[Anonymous]

*plea to raise taxes. Havent had my coffee yet.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Rolling Stone has taken notice of the Bethany Mandel campaign:

https://www.rollingstone.com/politics/politics-features/bethany-mandel-conservative-school-board-1234968716/

This is just click-bait.

She's not running as a Democrat. It's a nonpartisan race. She's registered as a Democrat because in this county it's the only way to have an impact on the primary race. I wish MD had open primaries.

Signed,
Stewart supporter

Someone should let Stewart it’s a nonpartisan race.

Signed,
A Democrat who voted for Jawando and Mink

When one of your opponents is Bethany Mandel, I don't think it's possible to campaign without mentioning partisan political issues.

It’s not the issues that bother me. It’s the “Vote for me because I’m a leader in the women’s democratic club” that bothers me.”

It's a relevant part of her background, no? Do you think she just shouldn't mention it?

Vote for her, don't vote for her, it's your decision not mine, but I do think it's interesting how the vast majority, like 90% of posts, on this thread are about one candidate, as though nobody else were running for BoE. It's also interesting how apparently this one candidate is bad both because she hides her background and also because she doesn't hide her background.

+1 I didn't come into this conversation as a huge Stewart fan and in fact, am the first person who said that I wasn't inclined to vote for her because she seemed like a nice white lady who is reluctant to ask difficult questions.

However, the addition of Mandel to this race changes everything for me. She is someone who has a stated platform of making life difficult for families like mine. That overrides any less significant concerns I have about Stewart.

Moreover, the thing about being a Democratic party official seems like a nothing burger. I don't think it makes the race partisan, and I see it as just signaling that she is politically engaged beyond school stuff. That's fine and normal, particularly in this area.

Same here in terms of being on the fence before Mandel entered the race. Now that she's running, I feel like we need to do everything we can to make sure she doesn't win. With Shebra Evans proving she can win a couple elections already, I'm inclined to vote for her again. I'm worried that a vote for Laura Stewart is a vote for Mandel, since it will split the reasonable vote and empower Mandel going into the general. I don't love any incumbent in this race, but given their track record of getting elected, I'd rather put my chips on someone who has proven they can win already rather than run the risk of letting a crazy person get a seat on the boe.

The first time Shebra ran, she faced Jill Ortman-Fouse, and Shebra lost. The next two times she ran, Shebra has not had significant competition. In fact, Shebra may not have had any opponent in 2020. I can't find that information online. So, in terms of Shebra being the more likely to be reelected because she is the incumbent, I don't know I put much belief in that. Especially this year, after the problems this last year with MCPS.

Shebra Evans defeated Steve Solomon in 2020. She received 273,000 votes, the most out of any candidate that ran in any BOE race that year.

Steve Solomon likes to run for office without bothering to learn anything about the issues. I am not surprised that Shebra Evans beat him handily, as the incumbent. This year, being an incumbent may prove to be a liability for Evans and Laura Stewart is a highly competent candidate who understands both policy and fiscal issues and who has worked for years on education issues.

Yes, we get it. Laura Stewart is an insider and has helped make MCPS what it is today.

Which is why I’m voting for Mandel. Time for new blood on the BoE even if they have different points of view. Tired of the BoE rubber stamping whatever the super and CO says

Ms. Mandel, You have zero experience with public schools as you home-school your children. You are in no way ready or capable of the responsibility of oversight for a $3.16 billion public school enterprise.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:What was hard to understand about my post?

Mandel is a hard no. Not considering her.

Stewart IMO would be focused on activist stuff. Performative social issues. I would prefer a candidate focus on the basics- bringing up our sad test scores, improving school safety, reliable transportation, etc. I'm also concerned about her previous positions on busing for equity, and please to raise taxes.

You are welcome to vote as you wish.

DP. How does voting for another term for Evans help with any of that, given that she's sat at the board table the past eight years while those things all got worse?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:What was hard to understand about my post?

Mandel is a hard no. Not considering her.

Stewart IMO would be focused on activist stuff. Performative social issues. I would prefer a candidate focus on the basics- bringing up our sad test scores, improving school safety, reliable transportation, etc. I'm also concerned about her previous positions on busing for equity, and please to raise taxes.

You are welcome to vote as you wish.

I agree with you, but trust me, you're better off with Stewart than Evans. Evans has been deaf to sad test scores and safety issues for years. I know this because I've attempted to engage her multiple times and been met with silence.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:What was hard to understand about my post?

Mandel is a hard no. Not considering her.

Stewart IMO would be focused on activist stuff. Performative social issues. I would prefer a candidate focus on the basics- bringing up our sad test scores, improving school safety, reliable transportation, etc. I'm also concerned about her previous positions on busing for equity, and please to raise taxes.

You are welcome to vote as you wish.

You are making up stuff about Stewart just to throw incendiary nonsense out there. What you say has no basis in fact. Please try another way besides an anonymous forum in order to campaign.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:What was hard to understand about my post?

Mandel is a hard no. Not considering her.

Stewart IMO would be focused on activist stuff. Performative social issues. I would prefer a candidate focus on the basics- bringing up our sad test scores, improving school safety, reliable transportation, etc. I'm also concerned about her previous positions on busing for equity, and please to raise taxes.

You are welcome to vote as you wish.

I agree with you, but trust me, you're better off with Stewart than Evans. Evans has been deaf to sad test scores and safety issues for years. I know this because I've attempted to engage her multiple times and been met with silence.

Evans has been sleepwalking for 8 years in her position.

[Anonymous]

Which is why I’m voting for Mandel. Time for new blood on the BoE even if they have different points of view. Tired of the BoE rubber stamping whatever the super and CO says

So you're a racist homophobe Trumper who doesn't give a crap about students, staff or families? Because that's what you're voting for.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Which is why I’m voting for Mandel. Time for new blood on the BoE even if they have different points of view. Tired of the BoE rubber stamping whatever the super and CO says

So you're a racist homophobe Trumper who doesn't give a crap about students, staff or families? Because that's what you're voting for.

PP here, The top was a quote, my reply is the bottom