Dr. Jeanne Smith, a former teacher and administrator in Hempfield Area School District, led the Republican and Democratic tickets in Tuesday's primary race for the Hempfield school board.
With all 39 precincts reporting, Smith received more than 12 percent of the GOP vote and nearly 14 percent from the Democrats. There are five board seats up for grabs in the fall primary.
Following Smith on the Republican ticket for the other four nominations were Mike Kusma, a physician's assistant; Douglas Lawson, a teacher at Jeannette High School; Michele Fischer, a teacher in the Fox Chapel School District; and incumbent Randy Stoner, who lost his bid for the Democratic nomination.
On the Democratic slate, Kusma, Fischer, Lawson and Eugene Dangelo, a teacher in the Mt. Pleasant Area School District, were nominated for the other four slots for the Nov. 8 general election.
Incumbents Jeffrey Weber, Will Shay and Gordon Scherff, and newcomers Mark Knatz and Paula Mazurek failed to secure nominations from either party, according to unofficial election results.
Smith said she felt like she was "hit with a lightning bolt" after learning the results.
"I'm pleasantly surprised," said Smith, who worked in the district for 38 years before retiring. "I do know a lot of people. I worked in the district for a long time. I know a lot of people in a positive way."
Smith said when she went to the polls Tuesday, she met many former students. "A lot of them said I've come to vote for you. It feels good. It's affirming," she said.
Five directors were up for re-election for four-year terms. Incumbent John Henry wasn't seeking a second term. He won one of two Democratic nominations for Hempfield Township supervisor.
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Primary Elections 2011
