Article Summary –
The Kenosha Unified School District board elections in Wisconsin are scheduled for April 2, with a slate of pro-public education candidates running against a group of right-wing candidates for four seats. The local Democratic Party has endorsed incumbent school board members Mary Modder and Todd Price, as well as newcomers Sabrina Landry and Robin Cullen. On the other side, candidates Bob Tierney, Angela Kretchmer, Jon Kim and Brian Thomas have been endorsed or recommended by the Kenosha County Republican Party, with their views including denial of the 2020 election results, anti-LGBTQ statements, and endorsements from extremist groups Moms for Liberty and MassResistance, which have been designated as extremist or hate groups by the Southern Poverty Law Center.
Wisconsin School Board Elections Set for April 2
The upcoming school board elections in Wisconsin, specifically the race for the Kenosha Unified School District board, is set for April 2. It features a group of pro-public education candidates against a right-wing slate for four seats.
Despite school board races being nonpartisan in Wisconsin, Kenosha County Democratic Party has intervened due to some extreme views held by certain candidates, stated Lori Hawkins, the Party’s chair. The party is backing incumbent board members Mary Modder and Todd Price, as well as newcomers Sabrina Landry and Robin Cullen.
“The major issue in the Kenosha Unified School Board race is the clash between four candidates supporting public education, proper school funding, librarians, and professional decision-making about curriculum, and four candidates with divergent views,” said Hawkins.
The Kenosha County Republican Party endorsed or recommended candidates Bob Tierney, Angela Kretchmer, Jon Kim, and Brian Thomas. According to a page on the Kenosha County Democrats’ website, these candidates have shown 2020 election result denial, anti-LGBTQ sentiments, and received endorsements from extremist groups like Moms for Liberty and MassResistance.
Both Moms for Liberty and MassResistance have been classified as extremist or hate groups by the Southern Poverty Law Center.
Thomas claimed the Kenosha County Democratic Party misrepresented his views, and he denied having any knowledge about Moms for Liberty. However, he acknowledged his wife’s association with the group’s members and defended his support for anti-trans sports bans and parental notification policies about children’s gender identity questions.
Modder expressed concern that conservative candidates could push for extreme curriculums and book bans similar to those seen in other states.
Florida’s recent “Don’t Say Gay” law, which forbade teachers from discussing sexual orientation with students, was highlighted as a worrying example. A March settlement in Florida clarified that teachers could discuss orientation and identity outside instruction.
Incumbent candidate Price dismissed the conservative candidates’ positions as irrelevant distractions and chose to run on his record.
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