The field of candidates for Chapel Hill-Carrboro City School Board is now down to 13, as another candidate has officially dropped out of the race.
Marketing professional Renée Peet announced her decision to withdraw on Wednesday, “with a heart full of gratitude for the invaluable learning experience and the privilege of connecting with our vibrant community.”
Peet initially filed to run in July, spurred by a Triangle Blog Blog post warning about the possibility of right-wing extremists entering the race. That threat never materialized – but more than a dozen other candidates did.
“The strength of our community’s shared values has prevailed, mitigating the need for my continued candidacy,” Peet said in her statement on Wednesday. “I have been particularly impressed by the caliber of the other 13 candidates…(and) I have the utmost confidence in their abilities and unwavering dedication to the betterment of our schools.”
In addition, Peet said she’s also withdrawing in response to shifts in her own professional life – which “have led me down a path of increased travel, making it challenging for me to serve effectively as a school board member.”
As Peet steps back from the race, she’s also endorsing four other school board candidates: Rani Dasi, Barbara Fedders, Taylor Tally, and Allison Willis, whom she called “four exceptional individuals” in her statement.
“Throughout this campaign, I have had the honor of meeting numerous engaged and passionate community members,” she said. “I deeply appreciate the chance to connect with individuals who share my commitment to quality education and community well-being.”
As a candidate, Renée Peet called for the CHCCS district to push back against right-wing “extremism and intolerance,” double down on its commitment to racial equity, and push the state legislature for greater support of public education. Though she’s stepping out of the school board race, she says her commitment to those goals remains undiminished.
“My journey began with a deep commitment to upholding the values that matter most to our community, and I am thankful for this opportunity,” Peet said Wednesday. “While I step back from the race, my passion for education and community betterment remains undiminished. I will continue to advocate for quality education in Chapel Hill.”
Early voting for the 2023 election begins on Thursday, October 19. Election Day is Tuesday, November 7.
For a full list of races Chapelboro is covering this 2023 local election cycle, click here. Additional coverage on candidates can be found on the Local Elections page, as well as other updates in the races as the election cycle continues this fall.
Photo via Peet4CHCCS.
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