Polifko Wins Broad Run Seat On Loudoun School Board By 98 Votes

LOUDOUN COUNTY, VA — Tiffany Polifko has claimed victory in the race for the Broad Run seat on the Loudoun County School Board. She earned 98 more votes than fellow challenger Nick Gothard, according to unofficial results from the Virginia Department of Elections.

Polifko secured 6,844 votes, just beating Gothard. Incumbent school board member Andrew Hoyler came in third place with 5,729 votes, according to unofficial results from the department of elections.

After Election Day, Gothard and Polifko were separated by 135 votes. The race was too close to call until election officials finished counting mail-in ballots received after Election Day and provisional ballots.

"Tonight, I reflect on years of advocacy for children and families that prepared me for this position," Polifko wrote on Facebook on Monday night. "I thank everyone who supported me throughout my campaign. Congratulations to Nick Gothard and Andrew Hoyler on a hard-fought race. Let's get to work!"

Gothard conceded the race on Monday night.

"It has been my distinct honor to be your candidate in this race," Gothard wrote on Facebook. "Though we came up short, I am so proud of the work we have done and the thousands of votes we earned in this election."

Hoyler conceded on Election Day, as preliminary results began to appear.

"To the absolutely amazing Broad Run District- it has been my honor to represent you over the past 13 months. Unfortunately, my time has come and the voters have spoken. It has truly been my pleasure interacting with so many of you," Hoyler said on Facebook on Election Day.

Polifko said on her campaign website that she will focus on "parents' rights."

"Parents have the right to view themselves as primary educators and schools must respect this," Polifko wrote. "Schools exist to educate students, not police or promote medical procedures that threaten the autonomy of family choice."

If elected, Polifko said she would stand against Policy 8040, which allows equal access to activities and facilities for transgender students.

Gothard's campaign pillars included mental health advocacy, diversifying education offerings, and supporting a transition to electric school buses. Gothard would have focused on expanded career and technical education, increased access to science and technology programs, and adequate fine arts materials, according to his website. Gothard is also openly gay and has advocated for non-discrimination efforts against LGBT students.

"For everyone we fought for, listened to, and gave hope to: this is not the end. We built a broad pro-public education coalition that proved voters want representatives who will fight for everyone," Gothard said on Monday. "We may have come up short this year, but I know that this community will continue to fight for our true values. I'll always be right by your side."