Incumbents out in front in race for Paso Robles school board
Incumbents were faring well in the race for four seats on the Paso Robles school board, as of results released at midnight.
Eight candidates were competing for four positions on the seven-seat board, with the race determining the school board’s direction over the next two years as trustees attempt to manage a million-dollar budget deficit, political strife and community division.
In Trustee Area 3, incumbent Nathan Williams was leading with 64.1% of the vote over challenger Hunter Breese with 35.8%, with 100% of precincts reporting as of 12:20 a.m.
“I’m pretty humbled by the turnout and the show of support,” Williams told The Tribune on Wednesday. “I think it shows a reach across the aisle of support for the work I’ve done over the past four years, and I’m humbled by that.”
If final results declare him the winner, Williams said he’ll be excited to “continue the good work of serving our community and putting our kids first.”
Breese also spoke with The Tribune on Wednesday.
The 19-year-old candidate said that running for election has been “a fun experience, win or lose.”
“I plan on waiting until every last vote is counted,” he added.
In Trustee Area 5, incumbent Laurene McCoy was leading with 56.4% of the vote, while challenger Tim Gearhart trailed with 43.4%, as of the forth ballot drop.
“While there are still votes to be counted, I look forward with optimism and appreciation for everyone who has placed their trust in me,” McCoy told The Tribune in an email. “I am eager to see the final numbers and whatever the outcome I remain committed to serving and supporting our community in every way I can.”
In Trustee Area 6, Leo Castillo led over Adelita Hiteshew with 52.7% of the vote compared to Hiteshew’s 47.3%, as of Wednesday morning.
“I’m humbled and grateful for the support that I received,” Castillo told The Tribune on Thursday. He added that the close race “speaks highly” of his opponent. “It clearly shows that people are rooting for both of us.”
Castillo said he supports his opponent and looks forward to supporting the youth of Paso Robles whether he wins or not.
And in Trustee Area 7, incumbent Kenney Enney held a lead with 57.6% of the vote, while challenger Tracy Dauterman had 42.4%, with all precincts reporting.
Dauterman told The Tribune she was disappointed by the early results but not surprised.
“I went into this race knowing I would likely lose but willing to give it my all because I truly care about the students and doing what is best for them,” Dauterman wrote in an email.
She added that she feels that Enney’s past behavior on the school board distracts from the district’s mission.
“This takes away from what our students need: focused educators who feel supported by the administration and the trustees. Otherwise our education system crumbles,” Dauterman said. “I’ll continue to do what I can from the sidelines to prevent that from happening.”
The final Election Night count included mail-in ballots received up to the weekend before Election Day as well as ballots cast in person on Tuesday.
Paso Robles school board election marked with controversy
From allegations of election fraud to postal violations, campaign season was marked with controversy for some Paso Robles trustee candidates.
Under the microscope for the past weeks was Breese — the 19-year-old candidate attempting to oust incumbent candidate Nathan Williams, who has served on the board since 2020.
A complaint filed with the District Attorney’s Office called Breese’s residency into question, and spurred an investigation into the matter just weeks before Election Day. The complaint alleged that Breese does not live at the address he used to register to run for office.
Breese denied the allegations to The Tribune, and fellow candidate and incumbent Kenney Enney backed up the teenager’s claims. Breese is currently registered to vote and run for office at an address belonging to Enney’s fiancee.
Amidst the allegations, Breese turned the focus to his opponent, Williams, accusing the incumbent of illegally depositing materials in mailboxes in his district. Breese also alleged that Williams was involved in submitting the complaint against Breese to the DA’s Office.
Williams denied that he was involved in the complaint submitted against Breese, and told The Tribune he had “no clue” about the federal law prohibiting the deposit of unstamped materials in mailboxes. Williams said he hung most of his campaign materials on doors, rather than depositing them in mailboxes.
Enney reported Williams to the United States Postal Service.
This story was originally published November 5, 2024 at 8:58 PM.
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