Democrats, Independents Respond to 'Extremist' Republicans’ Win

Submitted by 'Protect Guilford Schools:'

"Yesterday, Tuesday Sept. 14, Guilford Republicans nominated five anti-science, anti-diversity curriculum extremists to run for Board of Education. If elected, these candidates form an existential threat to our kids’ education and to one of Guilford’s premiere assets, our schools.

"I’ve never played politics, and I’ve always had a good working relationship with my Republican colleagues on the Board,” said Democratic Board of Education incumbent Moira Rader. “It’s sad, but those days could be over. Sensible moderates are being replaced with candidates who are dangerous, anti-education zealots. They want to deny our children a diverse, supportive, and superior education by dragging us backward and dismantling our award-winning school district. It’s simply unacceptable. We won’t let that happen.”

When it became clear that right-wingers and conspiracy theorists were a legitimate threat to Guilford’s centrist Republicans, two Democrats, incumbent Moira Rader and Arnold Skretta, joined with three independents, Kristy Faulkner, Jennifer Baldwin, and Noel Petra, to form a fusion campaign. They’ve set politics and precedent aside to step up and protect Guilford’s children from this dangerous brand of Trump extremism.

“They say they’re fighting systemic racism, all while claiming it doesn’t exist,” said Independent newcomer Jennifer Baldwin. “It’s preposterous. I am not a politician, and this has never been an ambition of mine, but as soon as it became clear that extremism was in danger of seeping into our classrooms, I knew I had to stand up for my kids, and for all our kids.”

The Republican slate is on record as being anti-mask, unbelieving of systemic racism, and claiming without evidence that Critical Race Theory — only taught in advanced, graduate-level law curriculum — is being taught in Guilford schools. Extremism has no place in Guilford, and Protect Guilford Schools will vigorously oppose it in all its forms."