Karen Edwards
Karen Edwards was a candidate for the Position 4 seat on the Puyallup School Board in Washington. She was defeated by fellow challenger Kathy Yang in the November 5, 2013 general election. Edwards campaigned to improve district communications with parents and provide greater access to innovative programs.
Biography
Edwards earned a Bachelor's degree in Biology from Florida State University. She later earned a Master's of Public Health from the University of Washington. Edwards served for five years in the Medical Services Corps in the U.S. Army. At the time of her candidacy, Edwards worked as a grant coordinator at the University of Washington Medical Center and served on the Edgerton PTA. Edwards and her husband, John, have two children attending district schools.[1]
Elections
2013
Edwards and Kathy Yang sought election to the Position 4 seat on November 5, 2013.
Results
General election
| Puyallup School Board, Four-year term, Position 4, 2013 | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Party | Candidate | Vote % | Votes | |
| Nonpartisan |  Kathy Yang |
50.9% | 11,988 | |
| Nonpartisan | Karen Edwards | 48.5% | 11,421 | |
| Nonpartisan | Write-in votes | 0.6% | 137 | |
| Total Votes | 23,546 | |||
| Source: Pierce County Elections, "November 5, 2013 General Election," November 25, 2013 | ||||
Primary
Edwards placed second in the August 6, 2013 primary for the board's Position 4 seat. Edwards and Kathy Yang advanced to the general election on November 5, 2013.[2]
| Puyallup School Board, Position 4, August 6 Primary, 2013 | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Party | Candidate | Vote % | Votes | |
| Nonpartisan | Kathy Yang |
47.5% | 5,622 | |
| Nonpartisan | Karen Edwards |
37.4% | 4,424 | |
| Nonpartisan | Margie Silver | 15.1% | 1,792 | |
| Total Votes | 11,838 | |||
| Source: Pierce County Elections, "August 6, 2013 Primary," August 20, 2013 | ||||
Funding
Edwards reported $10,096.35 in contributions and $9,928.50 in expenditures to the Washington Public Disclosure Commission, which left her campaign with $167.85 on hand.[3]
Endorsements
The Bellingham Herald endorsed Edwards for the November 5, 2013 board election.[4] Edwards also received the endorsement of the Pierce County Democrats on October 15, 2013.[5]
Campaign themes
2013
Edwards provided the following statement for the Local Voters' Pamphlet published by Pierce County:[6]
|
"When the Army brought us back to Washington 11 years ago, we chose Puyallup for the schools and to be close to family. We are invested in this school district with our two children, who are in the third and fifth grade. I am running for School Board because I want parents to choose Puyallup for its high quality schools once again, like we did years ago. Volunteering in the Puyallup School District for the past five years has shown me that our district is not reaching its full potential. We should be offering all students the choice to participate in innovative district-run programs while promoting equity and fiscal responsibility. Further, the District could do more to communicate with parents and our community about the services they provide and the resources required to make these programs successful. These are my top priorities as your next School Board member. Parents, students and teachers in our District deserve a change from the status quo. I will work tirelessly to ensure our Puyallup Schools are exceptional, that we focus on communication , and that we offer the most innovative and cost-effective educational opportunities our children deserve." |
Note: The above quote is from the candidate's website, which may include some typographical or spelling errors.
Recent news
This section links to a Google news search for the term "Karen + Edwards + Puyallup + Schools"
See also
- Washington school districts
- Puyallup School District, Washington
- Puyallup School District elections (2013)
External links
Footnotes
- ↑ Friends of Karen Edwards, "Biography," accessed August 15, 2013
- ↑ Pierce County Elections, "August 6, 2013 Primary Election Results," accessed August 15, 2013
- ↑ Washington Public Disclosure Commission, "Local Candidates," accessed December 17, 2013
- ↑ The Bellingham Herald, "Our choices for Tacoma, Puyallup, Bethel schools," October 8, 2013
- ↑ Pierce County Democrats, "Pierce County Democrats Release Updated Endorsements for Nov. Ballot!" October 15, 2013
- ↑ Pierce County Elections, "Current Election," accessed September 20, 2013
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