Challengers lead Cheney School Board incumbents
CHENEY – Pandemic politics may have cost two incumbent School Board members their seats in the Tuesday, Nov. 2 general election.
As of press time, incumbents Marcie Estrellado and Suzanne G. Dolle were trailing challengers spurred on by the way the School District and board handled coronavirus mandates, including school closures, mask requirements, and vaccination requirements.
As of press time Tuesday night, challenger Mark L. Scott was leading incumbent Estrellado in the race for the District No. 1 seat and challenger Zachary Zorrozua was leading incumbent Dolle in the race for the District No. 2 seat.
Both Scott and Zorrozua are political newcomers disenfranchised by the way their opponents, and by extension the School District, have handled mandates.
As of press time, Zorrozua had 2,244 (54.53%) votes to Dolle’s 1,815 votes (44.11%), a margin of 429 votes, with a voter turnout of only 18.68%.
Dolle has been an advocate of following state Department of Health recommendations and gubernatorial mandates.
Zorrozua, a lifelong Cheney resident said he has discussed the issues with parents angry over the mandates.
As of press time, Zorrozua had 2,244 (54.53%) votes to Dolle’s 1,815 votes (44.11%), a margin of 429 votes, with a voter turnout of only 18.68%.
Estrellado, too, has supported state mandates and sided with health department recommendations, despite objections by parents.
Scott supports keeping students safe, but has said previously that districts need to make their own decisions based on local coronavirus caseloads and student-related issues.
At press time, Scott had 2,222 votes (53.95%) to Estrellado’s 1,864 votes (45.25%), a margin of 358 votes. Voter turnout in that race, so far, is only 18.68%, Spokane County elections officials reported.
Late-arriving ballots will continue to be counted until election certification.
Roger Harnack is the owner/publisher of Free Press Publishing. Having grown up Benton City, Roger is an award-winning journalist, columnist, photographer, editor and publisher. He's one of only two editorial/commentary writers from Washington state to ever receive the international Golden Quill. Roger is dedicated to the preservation of local media, and the voice it retains for Eastern Washington.
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