Guilford Independent Party Nominates Board Of Ed Candidates

GUILFORD, CT— The Guilford Independent Party has nominated three unaffiliated candidates and cross-endorsed two Democrats for the Board of Education election on November 2.

The Guilford Independent Party created a "fusion slate" called Protect Guilford Schools in response to an "attack on Guilford schools by far-right conservatives," a news release fro the party reads, noting candidates "will campaign on maintaining the excellence in education that our school system has enjoyed for decades," adding that Guilford schools are "consistently rated in the top tier of Connecticut school systems, including the caliber of its teachers, breadth of the curriculum, and focus on student preparation for careers or further education."

The three nominated unaffiliated candidates are:

• Kristy Faulkner, a molecular biologist and mother of 3 children in elementary and middle school;
• Noel Petra, a real estate and construction executive, currently working for the State as the Deputy Commissioner of Real Estate and Construction; and
• Jennifer Baldwin, a public defender with a son in middle school and daughter entering high school.

The Independent Party has cross-endorsed Democratic newcomer Arnold Skretta, an attorney, and Democratic incumbent Moira Rader, with four years of service on the Board.

In the upcoming election, Guilford voters will elect five candidates for the Board of Education and may vote for up to five. The five candidates that comprise this fusion slate will appear together on the Independent Party line, Row C. This gives voters the opportunity to cast votes for five mainstream, pro-education candidates.

In a news release from the town Independent Party, it's noted that the Protect Guilford Schools slate was formed in response to the July 22 Republican caucus.

The Party pointed to an action at the caucus, saying, "Three incumbent Republican Board of Education members seeking re-election were ousted by a far-right group of Republicans associated with extreme views about our public education curriculum. Their views include the rejection of any teaching about the impacts of race and racism."

Saying Republican "extremists'" goal is to “Explain explicitly that systemic racism is a lie and does not exist in America.”

"The group falsely accused the current Board of Education — both Republican members and Democratic members alike — of pushing Critical Race Theory in the classroom," the news release reads.

"To be clear, the Guilford curriculum does not include Critical Race Theory, a subject that is only taught in law school and advanced university courses on race," the Party said.

Candidates remarks

Faulkner is quoted as saying she is "very concerned about what will happen to the school system should the Republican nominees get elected."

“We moved to Guilford because of its school system. The sudden rise in aggressive, false claims against our curriculum and the malice with which members of our community are being attacked is unacceptable," she said. "We must protect Guilford’s Board of Education and continue to work constructively across party lines.”

Petra is quoted as saying they are running to "make sure the Guilford school system continues to maintain its high quality of excellence in education. "

“Guilford Public Schools serve as a model across our state,” Petra said. “They are our most important economic development asset, successfully attracting families to our town so they can provide their children with some of the best public education in the country. I will work to maintain our school’s academic excellence, one that our residents and future residents value so highly.”

Baldwin is quoted as saying "Protecting the quality of Guilford schools" is the goal.

“Recent events here in our wonderful town have spurred me into action to pursue this position on the Board of Education. I have been a Public Defender for over 20 years, and I will protect our school system from the national partisanship that has reached Guilford," Baldwin said. "Our children deserve to learn how to think critically about problems and bias so that they can be well informed to make successful life choices.”

Skretta, a Democrat cross-endorsed by the Independent Party said, “I am proud to see people of different political backgrounds come together to put our school system first.”

Incumbent Board of Education member Moira Rader was quoted as saying: “As a member of our Board of Education for the past four years, I have grave concerns about what will happen if people with extreme, misguided views take over our Board of Education and have negative impacts on our wonderful school district."

"I could not be more proud to accept the Independent Party’s cross endorsement so that we can—together—protect our school system and continue the great, collaborative work that has made this one of the top school districts in the state," Rader said. "I urge all Guilford residents who care about our town’s schools and the greater future of our community to Vote Row C for BOE.”

The Independent Party is a statewide party certified by the Connecticut Secretary of the State. It is the third largest political party in Connecticut.