GOP holds sway in school board race for second consecutive election

Nov. 7—For the second consecutive election, the Republican Party's candidates have swept the open seats on the Lee County Schools Board of Education.

Eric Davidson, Chris Gaster and Alan Rummel won in November 2022, and on Tuesday night, the unofficial returns with 100% of precincts reporting showed that Megan Garner, Cindy Ortiz, Sherry Lynn Womack and Carla Hooker defeated four Democrat opponents.

With the election, Republicans will control all seven seats on the school board.

Womack was the only incumbent who won. Democrat incumbents Patrick Kelly and Jamey Laudate lost. Although Kelly had won twice before, Laudate was appointed to his seat in 2022, replacing Lynn Smith (D), and lost a race in 2020.

Hooker topped Kelly for the fourth position by 320 votes.

"I'm just grateful for the opportunity to serve," Hooker said Wednesday. "I think everybody's a winner because we all showed how much compassion we have for the children, teachers and administrators."

When asked why he did better than three other Democrats, Kelly noted that it was his third time running. He added that he has a proven record.

Kelly, who works full-time on the Pint Size Pasture mobile petting farm that has been in his family for five generations, added, "I don't think I'm done with politics. I have a desire to serve. I don't see this as the end of the road."

Garner took the top spot. When asked why she thought she won the most votes, she touted her top issue of safety improvements. Garner, who works as a health, safety and environmental director at Eli Lilly and Co. in Durham and previously worked for two other companies in Sanford, said she built a name for herself in the community through those jobs.

Ortiz attributed her success as the No. 2 vote-getter to building relationships in the community over 31 years based on respect, understanding and a shared commitment to what's best for all. "I think people recognize my dedication to making thoughtful, inclusive decisions that uplift our community," she said.

Although Womack, Kelly and Laudate chose to run again, Sandra Bowen, a Republican who later changed to unaffiliated, declined.

Womack and her husband, Jim Womack, the county's GOP chair, did not return calls by deadline.

Unofficial resultsMegan Garner (R) 14,395

Cindy Ortiz (R), 14,205

Sherry Lynn Womack (R), 13,985

Carla Hooker (R), 13,624

Patrick Kelly (D) 13,304

Katie Eddings (D), 11,919

Jamey Laudate (D), 11,817

Shonda Ray (D), 11,656