'People are ready for a change': Highly contested school board race unseats one incumbent

Sarah Best, Jackson Sun
·2 min read
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District 3 School Board incumbent Debbie Gaugh cheers as her son Glen is projected to win the Republican primary for District 2 during the Constitutional Republicans March 5 Election watch party inside Mulligan's in Jackson, Tenn. on Tuesday, March 5, 2024.
District 3 School Board incumbent Debbie Gaugh cheers as her son Glen is projected to win the Republican primary for District 2 during the Constitutional Republicans March 5 Election watch party inside Mulligan's in Jackson, Tenn. on Tuesday, March 5, 2024.

The culmination of a closely followed race for Jackson-Madison County School Board ended with unseated incumbents and a mother-son duo securing wins in their respective districts.

The Republican Primary brought out 9,141 Madison County voters on Super Tuesday, or 14.62% of registered voters.

The Madison County Constitutional Republicans, a recently established conservative political organization, endorsed candidates Shane Barnes and both Glen and Debbie Gaugh, all of whom ultimately won.

More: Madison Co. Primary final results show mother, son sweep for school board

More: School board candidates meet for forum, March 5 election

Glen Gaugh won in District 2 over opponent Melissa Bailey Watson. Gaugh will be on the ballot against Independent incumbent Kenneth Newman in August.

During an election night watch party hosted by MCCR at Mulligan's pub, Glen commented on the early voting results showing his lead over Watson.

"I'm happy to have a lead at this point with early voting, I think that looks good for us in this race for District 2," he said.

He commended his mother for the work she's done on the school board representing District 3 and for contributing to his inspiration to run.

District 2 School Board candidate Glen Gaugh watches on as early voting results roll in during the Constitutional Republicans March 5 Election watch party inside Mulligan's in Jackson, Tenn. on Tuesday, March 5, 2024.
District 2 School Board candidate Glen Gaugh watches on as early voting results roll in during the Constitutional Republicans March 5 Election watch party inside Mulligan's in Jackson, Tenn. on Tuesday, March 5, 2024.

"The feedback, the conversations that I've had throughout the campaign were all very favorable. People are ready for a change whether they're parents, grandparents, or just concerned tax-paying citizens, so I'm very hopeful to be able to help on the school board."

Securing more votes than both of her opponents combined, incumbent Debbie Gaugh will maintain her District 3 seat.

"I am so thankful for the people who believe in me, and who stood behind me, and who went back and voted for the second time for me to be their school board [member]," Debbie Gaugh said.

District 2 School Board candidate Glen Gaugh speaks to his mother and District 3 School Board incumbent Debbie Gaugh during the Constitutional Republicans March 5 Election watch party inside Mulligan's in Jackson, Tenn. on Tuesday, March 5, 2024.
District 2 School Board candidate Glen Gaugh speaks to his mother and District 3 School Board incumbent Debbie Gaugh during the Constitutional Republicans March 5 Election watch party inside Mulligan's in Jackson, Tenn. on Tuesday, March 5, 2024.

When asked how she would plan to work alongside her son on the board, she acknowledged the difference in generations and ideas that the two have.

"We are mother and son first and always, and if we come to something that's impassable then we just lay it on the table," Debbie said. "After all, we're not the only two votes and somebody else will choose it for us so that's how we'll handle it."

District 5 Incumbent Marcia Moss watches on as voting results roll in during the Constitutional Republicans March 5 Election watch party inside Mulligan's in Jackson, Tenn. on Tuesday, March 5, 2024.
District 5 Incumbent Marcia Moss watches on as voting results roll in during the Constitutional Republicans March 5 Election watch party inside Mulligan's in Jackson, Tenn. on Tuesday, March 5, 2024.

Shane Barnes secured the District 5, Position 1 seat over incumbent Sherry Franks. A member of law enforcement for 30 years, Barnes earned an endorsement from Madison County Sheriff Julian Wiser in February.

We The People's Londa Rohlfing watches on as the first results roll in during the Constitutional Republicans March 5 Election watch party inside Mulligan's in Jackson, Tenn. on Tuesday, March 5, 2024.
We The People's Londa Rohlfing watches on as the first results roll in during the Constitutional Republicans March 5 Election watch party inside Mulligan's in Jackson, Tenn. on Tuesday, March 5, 2024.

Following his victory, Barnes took to social media to commend Franks for "running a clean campaign and for serving with true compassion."

Marcia Moss ran unopposed for District 5, Position 2, earning 1,465 votes, the single most votes of all school board candidates. Brandilynn Taylow also ran unopposed for District 6, Position 1.

Voting results will be certified by the Madison County Election Commission on the morning of March 12.

Sarah Best is a government reporter for The Jackson Sun.

This article originally appeared on Jackson Sun: Republican Primary results show mother son sweep of school board races