Sumner County’s newest school board member won’t be chosen by voters, and some believe it’ll go to an ultraconservative

The death of Patricia Brown has left a vacancy on the Sumner County School Board. But rather than voters, it’s county commissioners who will decide who fills the role. And some believe there’s a good chance the seat will go to an ultraconservative candidate.

Democrat Roxie Kelsey finished second in last year’s race for District 9 of the school board, and says she still really wants the job.

“Even with beauty contests, they have a first runner-up. In this case, I was the first runner-up. I’ve showed that I work hard, that I’ll continue with it,” she said. “I’m honest. I’m dependable. What else are you looking for?”

And then there’s local pastor Steven Oldham. He didn’t run in the last election, but he’s eyeing the open seat too.

“I don’t have an agenda,” he said. “I just come in wanting to serve families. I just want to listen to the concerns, to the issues and to the questions and try and be their voice.”

But there’s a good chance the seat won’t go to either of them.

A third candidate, named Josh Graham is also seeking the appointment. He didn’t respond to WPLN’s multiple requests for an interview. Graham ran as a write-in last year and was endorsed by the far-right Sumner County Constitutional Republicans.

Candidates endorsed by the group won over half the county commission seats in the last election.

That has some community members concerned that he’s a shoo-in for the role, even though he finished third in August, with fewer than 20% of the votes.

“I think it’s safe to assume that no matter what the community pushback is, that that’s who they’re going to appoint,” said Hilary Lounder, a local parent.

Lounder also helped start the group Right to Read Sumner, which has been fighting book challenges across the district.

The Constitutional Republicans have been active in calling for book bans at schools.

Lounder says this school board appointment reminds her of last year, when a Democrat and a Constitutional Republican tied in a race to represent part of Gallatin. Rather than send it to a runoff, commissioners chose who would fill the seat. And they waited until the new, more conservative, commission was sworn in.

“It’s the same thing over again,” Lounder said.

The chair of the county commission, who was backed by the Constitutional Republicans, also did not respond to an interview request. The Sumner County Commission will meet Monday, Feb. 27 to select the newest school board member.