School board candidates give perspectives as race heads to runoff

PERRY – While many of the county’s primary elections this year were unopposed, two key races stood out with multiple candidates: the sheriff race and the Houston County Board of Education.

This year, two posts saw competition on the election stage: post 1 and post 7, and Houston County voters made it known who they’d like to see serving on the board.

For post 1, the race was between Dr. Rick Unruh and Dr. Tim Riley.

Unruh, the board’s current vice-chair, took 51% of the vote, securing his seat on post 1. He will continue over a decade of service on the board, excited about his win and the community’s support.

“I like [winning] a whole lot better than losing,” Unruh said. “I appreciate that the voters of district 1 elected me again. My intention is to continue to do the job that they’ve allowed me to do for the last 11 years and that’s just to try to make decisions that are best for our children across the district.”

As for what is next for Unruh, he will now focus on a significant milestone for students and a goal for the school district.

“Graduation, five systems of graduation,” he said, chuckling. “That’s really what we’re all about is getting all our kids across that line, across that finish line.”

Unruh’s opponent, Riley, fell short by only 380 votes.

“Obviously, myself and my team are disappointed to come so close with 300-something votes. 45% of the votes, that’s a very tight race. We were very happy, we did as well as we did but we’re disappointed,” Riley said.

As a community partner, Riley said he will focus on his role as vice president of Genesis Joy House, the area’s only female veterans homeless shelter.

“I’ve been a community activist for many years, probably 45 years, and I am going to stay very active within the community,” he said.

Riley served as vice mayor for the city of Waianae, Hawaii, for nearly a decade and is no stranger to political campaigning. He said he is unsure what he may run for next, but is keeping his options open.

“As far as political future ambitions, I’m not sure what the future holds. I’ve already been approached for quite a few things in the next cycle, leaving the table open. I’m not sure what I’m going to do as far as running for office in the future,” he said.

Post 7’s race was less cut and dry. With no one securing over half of the vote, the race moves to a runoff between the top two candidates: Angel Bowen Brown and Clyde Jackson, Jr.

Bowen Brown said she was humbled and grateful for the community’s support and felt each candidate gave it their best shot. Excited for the opportunity to serve, she is focused on getting her message out and encouraging others to vote.

“I know voter fatigue is a real thing and people get tired, but I hope that they realize the importance of the school board and that they’ll get out to make sure that they’re picking the best candidate for the job,” Bowen Brown said.

If elected, Bowen Brown is hopeful her experience will be a valuable asset to the board.

“I think that parent perspective brings a big positive, as well as just being a mother of three recent grads of the school system and being a business owner over the last 17 years,” she said. “I think those are some things that set me apart. It’ll help me to be the best choice for the job.”

Jackson is also encouraging others to vote.

“Hopefully we can get more people out to vote. I’m just glad to be in the final two,” he said.

Also working to get his message out, Jackson said his three decades of experience as an educator sets him apart and makes him relatable.

“I’m the only one that has over 30 years of experience as an educator. So, all the educators I’m asking them to get out and vote for me, because whatever they’ve been through, I’ve taught, I’ve coached and I’m the only person who knows what they go through,” he said.

Their opponents, Yancey Brown and Caly Hess, were both newcomers to the political arena. Brown said he is feeling great, and was thankful to supporters as he enjoyed his first time campaigning. Now, he is picking himself back up after the race.

“I had a lot of fun doing it and [I’ll] just learn and move on. That’s pretty much it. … It’s just learn, move on and try and recoup and run again,” Brown said.

With a job as a community resilience coordinator at Robins Air Force Base and 19 years of ministry with Greater Victory Church, Brown said he will continue to serve the community while educating the public on board policy.

“I still will help people, I have always helped kids behind the scenes. That’s not going to stop. I’m going to find ways to get these students the help that they need, by going through outside agencies to assist these kids,” Brown said.

Speaking about the election, Hess said she was not surprised by the results and encouraged voters to research each candidate before heading back to the polls.

“There is definitely a direct correlation in the way that we have educated and raised the people, in not just Georgia but the United States, that the bigger the sign, the more prevalent the sign, the bigger your win,” she said.

Hess previously spoke to the school board and has been a vocal advocate for change. That didn’t stop during her campaign and she said she will continue, saying her next step is independently hiring a forensic accountant to examine the school board’s budget.

“Whoever wins this post will have to deal with the fact that I’m going to still be a thorn in the side of the school board as I continue to call questions,” she said.

The runoff election is set for June 18.