It was hard to tell who was happier, Lynn Wright or his campaign managers, following Tuesday night”s primary election. Wright, a former New Hope principal, will face Edna McGill, assistant superintendent of the Lowndes County School District, in an Aug. 23 runoff to become the Republican candidate for superintendent of education. The winner of that race will meet Democrat Cliff Reynolds and Independents Rusty Green and Roger Hill in the general election Nov. 8.
As Wright stood in the hallway of the Lowndes County Courthouse, calling supporters, campaign manager Paula Gregory clutched her chest and beamed, hugging him and fellow campaign manager Spence Andrews. She said she had watched the results from home, nervous the whole time.
Wright led with 2,305 votes (43.86 percent), while his opponents — McGill and New Hope Middle School principal Sam Allison — trailed with 1,561 (29.71 percent) and 1,375 (26.17 percent), respectively.
Andrews said they were humbled by the results and hope Wright”s supporters will come back to the polls in three weeks. Andrews and Gregory, both teachers at New Hope High School, said so far, Wright has spent between $10,000 and $20,000 on the campaign.
“I”m thrilled to death and appreciate all the support of those that worked with the campaign and those that had the confidence in me to give me their vote,” Wright said. “I thank the good Lord. We”re just gonna work hard and get out there and talk to people.”
McGill, who also watched the results at the courthouse Tuesday night, said she went home and immediately began analyzing the data and the strategy she will take over the next three weeks. She said her focus on educational issues will remain the same, but she plans to work harder to make sure voters understand the importance of the issues.
“They need to be informed and understand the state and federal mandates placed upon (the Lowndes County School District) in an effort to increase student achievement,” McGill said. “That”s what this runoff has to be about — student achievement. There”s no room for any other issues.”
The superintendent”s position is a four-year term and offers a salary of $125,000 per year.
Carmen K. Sisson is the former news editor at The Dispatch.
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