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SFSD election results – Three new faces, one incumbent, win seats

By Stephen Floyd

Four winners have emerged in the May 16 election for the Silver Falls School District Board, though one contest was still close as of the most recent election results.

Eight contenders ran for four open seats.The uncertified May 24 results are from the Oregon Secretary of State Office.

The count could change until votes are finalized by the June 12 deadline.

Only one incumbent was among the eight, as board members Janet Allanach, Lori McLaughlin and Jonathan Edmonds chose not to seek re-election.

Zone 1

Phil Wiesner was leading opponent Jo Tucker 79.55% to 20.2% of 4,377 votes.

Wiesner, a retired local teacher and member of the Mt. Angel Fire District Board, said his background in education must have had a significant impact on voters. He said he looks forward to listening and asking lots of questions as he enters the position, and to engaging with the community.

“I want to be an informed board member and I want to be an accessible board member,” said Wiesner.

Tucker, a former educational assistant for SFSD, said she believes Wiesner will be “a great supporter of the students and staff in our district.” While disappointed she did not win, Tucker said she stands by the things she said and did during her campaign.

“I would not have done anything different,” said Tucker, adding she was surprised a non-partisan race was largely political in the eyes of many voters she encountered.

Zone 3

Derrick Foxworth Jr. had a small-but-growing lead over opponent Dixon Bledsoe with 51.21% to 48.72% of 4,581 total votes.

Bledsoe, a local real estate broker, said the latest numbers suggest it is mathematically impossible for him to overtake Foxworth and he congratulated his opponent. Bledsoe said now is the time for the board to unify for the sake of rebuilding trust in the community, and for the success of a likely upcoming facilities bond campaign.

“I urge new and current board members to work together for putting kids first and not employing political agendas,” said Bledsoe.

Foxworth was unavailable for comment as of Our Town press time. He is a lieutenant with the Portland Police Bureau.

Zone 6

Josh Ort pulled ahead of opponent Eliza Torlyn 54.64% to 45.29% of 4,491 votes.

Ort, a chiropractor, said he was humbled by the results, especially considering he engaged in little campaigning. Ort said he did not put out signs or use social media because he wanted to prove candidates could win without “the tribalism of partisan politics.”

“I grew up here,” said Ort. “The division’s tearing me up.”

Torlyn, an artist and business owner, said she knew Ort’s deep roots in the community would generate support. She said she will continuing to serve the district through her roles on committees, and noted the election results mean there will be far fewer female members on the board.

“I think that in general there should be a variety of voices on a nonpartisan body like our School Board,” she said.

Zone 7

Incumbent Tom Buchholz won a fourth term over challenger Jesse Smith with 68.44% over 31.36% of 4,398 total votes.

Buchholz, a farmer and business owner, was first elected in 2011. He said he looks forward to helping the focus on education and keeping the board out of culture wars.

“I think this is the best path forward during this post-COVID period and difficult political time,” he said.

Smith said he was not surprised by the results, as Buchholz is a well-liked incum-bent.  Smith missed the deadline to appear in the voter pamphlet. He said all candidates demonstrated it is possible to disagree without becoming hostile, and other communities can learn from the example.

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