Democrat Tonya Chestnut (left), the incumbent District 5 representative on the Alabama State Board of Education, faces Republican nominee David Perry (right) in the November 5 election. (Left: Courtesyo Tonya Chestnut; Right: Curtesy Davis Perry)
The single competitive race on the Alabama State Board of Education this year will feature an incumbent seeking her second term on the board and a Republican challenger.
Democrat Tonya Chestnut, currently representing District 5 on the board, faces Republican nominee David Perry, a pastor and community activist.
The district, taking in most of Alabama’s Black Belt, is expected to lean Democratic.
Chestnut, one of two Democrats on a Republican-controlled board, said that one of her priorities is continued focus on struggling readers, especially those beyond third grade.
Alabama’s 2019 Literacy Act aims to have all students reading on grade level by the end of third grade. In recent months, education leaders including State Schools Superintendent Eric Mackey have called for funding to address older students who need reading support.