There has been a change in the race for the Hardin County Schools District 3 school board position.
Incumbent Charlie Wise was re-elected to fill the vacancy created by his resignation, but he was opposed in a nonpartisan election by former Hardin County Republican Party Chair Cheryl Benitez.
County Clerk Brian D. Smith confirmed Friday that Benitez had withdrawn from the race. But Smith said her name would appear on the ballot because the form was approved. Votes cast for her will not be counted. This information will be posted at her 12 voting centers on Election Day.
Benitez, who could not be reached for comment Friday, is the wife of Thomas Metcalf, who won the same 3rd District seat in the 2022 election. He resigned the following month, citing a state law that says local government employees cannot hold elected office.
Wise has previously held the position of school board president, but said this is his fifth time running for the school board. He withdrew from his race last year, relinquishing his seat to run a write-in campaign for county judge executive, but was unsuccessful.
He feels he has remained in his position for the past 16 years because of his responsible decision-making focused on doing what is best for students and representing parents and taxpayers. He said there was.
“I’m still going to try it,” Wise said.
Most voters will not hold local elections this November. The ballot includes state constitutional officials from the governor to the state treasurer.
West Point voters will fill City Council vacancies comparable to Scott Kelly Young and Hannah Renee Duvall, and the 5th and 8th District constable positions are vacant, so the appropriate ballot It will be written in.
Twelve polling stations will be set up on November 7th. Voters can stop by any polling place center from 6 a.m. to 6 p.m.
Election Day voting centers are located at North Hardin High School, John Hardin High School, JT Alton Middle School, Lincoln Trail Elementary School, Lakewood Elementary School, Creekside Elementary School, Old West Point School, Elizabethtown High School, East Hardin Middle School, the office, West 84 Fire Station, Colvin Community Center.
Early voting will take place from 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Nov. 2-4 at the County Clerk’s Office in the Hardin County Courthouse and the Colvin Community Center, 230 Freedom’s Way in Radcliffe.
Voters who wish to request an absentee ballot must request one by October 24th at govoteky.com.