Unofficial results from two Maricopa County Community College District races show one incumbent is enjoying a very strong lead over their challenger, while a second incumbent is struggling.
At-large member Linda Thor is currently leading in her race against Shelli Boggs-Richardson. Thor, who was elected to the board in 2016 and previously served as the president of Rio Salado College in Tempe, currently has 64% of the votes counted so far.
“I view this as a vote of approval of my first four years on the board," Thor said.
Boggs-Richardson did not respond to a request for comment.
The incumbent for the board’s District 1 seat, Laurin Hendrix, isn’t having the same luck. He’s currently trailing behind his challenger, Jacqueline Smith, by 14 percentage points. Hendrix was unavailable for an interview on Wednesday.
Smith currently serves as the vice president for presidential advancement for the ASU Foundation and Professor of Practice in the Mary Lou Fulton Teachers College with a focus on university design and higher education and the law. This is Smith's first running for office and the pandemic made the signature gathering process challenging, she said.
“I am so thankful to the voters for making a choice for our colleges and our students and I am just overwhelmed with appreciation for the volunteers for the many volunteers who have dedicated their time and also made donations to support my campaign," Smith said.
The election comes as the district, which is one of the largest community college systems in the nation, is facing financial challenges and continues to search for a new chancellor after its first attempt was botched. Thor, who served as chair of the original search committee, expects the board will start conversations on a timeline for its chancellor search and budget for next year in January.
"A number things have to wait for the new governing board," Thor said. "It would not be fair to new members to make major decisions right now that will affect their tenure on the governing board."
If she wins, Smith said her priorities will include keeping community colleges affordable and growing enrollment in addition to helping the district’s select a new chancellor.
EDITOR'S NOTE: KJZZ is licensed to the Maricopa County Community College District.
