In Springfield school board election, newcomer Barnett easily outdistances Mares

In the only contested race for School District 186 board of education, political newcomer Kristin Barnett easily outdistanced incumbent Anthony "Tony" Mares in Subdistrict 1 in the April 1 consolidated election.

Two incumbents, board president Micah Miller in Subdistrict 2 and Erica Austin in Subdistrict 6, were unopposed.

Subdistrict 1 is in the northwest part of Springfield.

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Barnett, a chemist with the Illinois Department of Agriculture, won with 62% of the vote.

Mares is the marketing manager for Sangamon Mass Transit District (SMTD). He previously served as school board president.

"I'm thrilled for so many reasons," Barnett said. "I'm thrilled because I want to be on this board, and I want to help the district and the students and the teachers. I'm thrilled all the hard work paid off. This is something I set my mind to."

"She really worked her butt off and people saw it, so it was easy to get behind her," said Sangamon County Democratic Party chairman Bill Houlihan.

Barnett said some people she met knocking on doors "had never talked to any school board candidate."

Miller was first elected in 2019, while Austin won her first election in 2021.

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Ball-Chatham

The Ball-Chatham school board will have a decidedly different look after incumbents Andrea Rediger and Patrick Phipps lost. Laura Calderon, Tiffani Saunders and Ann Strahle did not seek terms.

Brent Kulavic, Lisa M. Lipe, Carrie Jeffries and Joe Bolletta all claimed seats.

Kelvin Coburn was the only candidate for a two-year term.

Pawnee

In Pawnee, incumbents Joe Morell, Jerry Clarke and Jessica Megginson all were voted back in. Travis Simpson tied for the second most votes in winning a seat. Incumbent Stan McTaggart did not run.

Mt. Pulaski

In Mt. Pulaski, incumbents Aaron Lee Wilham and Doug Martin won along with Ryan Mott and Breann Titus. Incumbent Deanne Mott did not run.

Riverton

In Riverton, incumbents Shannon M. Churchill, Leeann Kendall, Deana L. Schenk and Corie Pettit re-claimed seats after both Schenck and Churchill were elected to two-year terms in 2023.

Rochester

In Rochester, incumbent Todd Hannah lost with Henry Aaron Taft, Sarah Kerley and Kristin LaMontagne claiming seats. Incumbents Chris Jewell and Aimee Johnson did not run.

Auburn

In Auburn, incumbents Jamie Kuhlmann and Michael Bates won, along with Tyler Beroa and Lynde Dobson Pavich, who was appointed in 2024. Incumbent Josh Smith did not run.

Sangamon Valley

For Sangamon Valley School District, which includes schools in Niantic, Harristown and Illiopolis, incumbents Joshua Hilbert, Matthew David Wood, Jessica Browning and Lori Campbell were voted back into office.

A-C Central

For A-C Central School District, which includes schools in Ashland and Chandlerville, incumbent Curtis Cosner, a 2023 appointee, and Daniel J. Edge were the winners, with Daniel A. Cuba, Vincent Todd Jokisch and Garrett Savage all tying. Incumbents Debra Petefish and Jason Smith did not run.

Williamsville-Sherman

Williamsville-Sherman will have a new look after incumbent Christina Prefountain lost her re-election bid and Charles Waugh and Kurt Ratliff did not run. Incumbent Thomas Ray did win a seat, along with Trevor Compardo, Pat McCue and Michelle Entwistle.

Contact Steven Spearie: 217-622-1788: sspearie@sj-r.com: X, twitter.com/@StevenSpearie.

This article originally appeared on State Journal-Register: Kristin Barnett won her first election for Springfield school board