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Heather Cleary
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Heather Cleary is an at-large representative on the Richland School District school board in Washington. Cleary was initially appointed to the position in 2005. Cleary won a new term in the at-large general election on November 7, 2017.
Biography
Cleary worked with King Broadcasting until her retirement in 1991. She received an undergraduate degree from Montana State University.[1]
Elections
2017
Two of the five seats on the Richland School District school board in Washington were up for at-large general election on November 7, 2017. Position 1 board member Heather Cleary filed for re-election and defeated challenger Matthew Bishop. Position 2 member Rick Jansons filed for another term and defeated challenger Ron Higgins.[2]
Results
| Richland School District, Position 1 General Election, 4-year term, 2017 |
||
|---|---|---|
| Candidate | Vote % | Votes |
 Heather Cleary Incumbent |
66.54% | 10,420 |
| Matthew Bishop | 33.46% | 5,239 |
| Total Votes | 15,659 | |
| Source: Benton County, "November 7, 2017 General Election," accessed December 1, 2017 | ||
Funding
Cleary opted for mini reporting in this election, according to the Washington Public Disclosure Commission.[3] Candidates who opted for this had to keep a record of their contributors and expenditures, but were not required to report them. If they raised and spent more than $5,000 in aggregate or received more than $500 from any one contributor, including themselves, they would have had to switch their filing status from mini to full reporting.[4]
2013
Cleary sought re-election against Ron Higgins on November 5, 2013.
Results
General election
| Richland School Board, Four-year term, Position 1, 2013 | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Party | Candidate | Vote % | Votes | |
| Nonpartisan | Heather Cleary Incumbent |
55.3% | 8,571 | |
| Nonpartisan | Ron Higgins | 44.7% | 6,934 | |
| Total Votes | 15,505 | |||
| Source: Benton County Auditor, "Election Results," November 26, 2013 | ||||
Primary
Cleary placed first during the August 6 primary against Ron Higgins and Jimmie D. Chastain. She faced Higgins during the November 5, 2013, general election.[5]
| Richland School Board, Primary, Position 1, 2013 | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Party | Candidate | Vote % | Votes | |
| Nonpartisan | Heather Cleary Incumbent |
55.4% | 4,355 | |
| Nonpartisan | Ron Higgins |
34.9% | 2,741 | |
| Nonpartisan | Jimmie D. Chastain | 9.7% | 765 | |
| Total Votes | 7,861 | |||
| Source: Benton County Auditor | ||||
Funding
Cleary reported no contributions or expenditures to the Washington Public Disclosure Commission.[6]
Endorsements
The Tri-City Herald endorsed Cleary on October 15, 2013.[7]
2009
Cleary won a second term on the board without facing any opposition during the November 3, 2009, general election.[5]
| Richland School Board, Position 1, 2009 | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Party | Candidate | Vote % | Votes | |
| Nonpartisan | Heather Cleary Incumbent |
100% | 11,643 | |
| Total Votes | 11,643 | |||
| Source: Benton County Auditor | ||||
Campaign themes
2013
Cleary explained the primary themes of her 2013 campaign in the Benton County voter pamphlet:
| “ | As a parent and current school board director, I am uniquely familiar with RSD challenges and issues.
It's exciting to be involved with a district where many of our students flourish. Our district has incredible teachers and staff who work daily to help students reach their potential. Our current school board is focused on high standards and making student centered decisions. I enjoy serving as a school board director because I've always believed our community is only as good as the quality and variety of educational opportunities we offer our children. The district was grateful to receive a 68% voter approval of the February 2013 bond. This much needed bond will address growing student enrollment and replace worn and outdated facilities. The next few years will be challenging to bring these projects to completion on time and under budget. We have several important new initiatives just beginning, such as the preschool initiative, All Children Exceeding Standards, and AVID that will help RSD students continue to excel. I'm proud to have served as a Richland School Board Director for the past 8 year and am looking forward to what the future holds for the Richland School District.[8] |
” |
| —Heather Cleary (2013) | ||
See also
- Richland School District, Washington
- Richland School District elections (2017)
- Richland School District elections (2013)
External links
Footnotes
- ↑ Benton County Elections, "Voter Pamphlet: Heather Cleary," accessed August 7, 2013 (dead link)
- ↑ Benton County, "2017 Candidates Who Have Filed," accessed May 25, 2017
- ↑ Washington Public Disclosure Commission, "Local Candidates," accessed October 16, 2017
- ↑ Washington State Public Disclosure Commission, "New Candidates," accessed June 22, 2017
- ↑ 5.0 5.1 Benton County Elections, "Archived Election Results," accessed August 7, 2013
- ↑ Washington Public Disclosure Commission, "Local Candidates," accessed December 17, 2013
- ↑ Tri-City Herald, "Our Voice: Richland School Board — Re-elect Cleary, Jansons," October 15, 2013
- ↑ Note: This text is quoted verbatim from the original source. Any inconsistencies are attributable to the original source.
| Richland School District elections in 2017 | |
| Benton County, Washington | |
| Election date: | November 7, 2017 |
| Candidates: | Position 1: Incumbent, Heather Cleary • Matthew Bishop Position 2: Incumbent, Rick Jansons • Ron Higgins |
| Important information: | What's at stake? |
