Two Howard County school board incumbents are saying bring on the general election after receiving the most votes among other board candidates in the primary.
“I think it was a general satisfaction with the way the board has worked and confirmation that we should continue with what we?re doing,” said Ellen Flynn Giles, the board?s vice chairwoman.
“I?m going to regroup with my campaign committee and see any areas where we need to refocus.”
Giles finished second, right behind Janet Siddiqui.
“Although it seems like a long time from now, I hope to keep the momentum going,” Siddiqui said. The top three vote-getters in November?s general election will earn positions on the board.
The field of seven candidates running for the board was reduced to six after the primary. Faenita Dilworth, a cosmetic company consultant, was eliminated from the race.
“I?m going back to my regular life,” said Dilworth, who still plans on being active in the community. “I?ll talk to people who are more politically astute to see what I could have done differently.”
Other candidates advancing to the general election are college student Di Zou, retired business owner Betsy Grater and homeschool teacher Diane Butler, who was pleased with a third-place finish.
Grater was satisfied since her goal was to make it past the primary.
Allen Dyer of Glenelg, a lawyer, finished fourth, and is making a fourth attempt for a board position. He credits his success to drawing from both Republicans and Democrats.
“At this point, I?m going to increase my efforts to visit schools,” said Dyer. “There?s a lot of difference between the schools and we have a lot of diversity in the county.”
Dyer said he?ll also be reaching out to community associations, approaching elected officials and listening to residents? concerns.
