The Marion County School District will have two new school board members following Tuesday’s election, who will take their seats on the board effective Jan. 1, 2025.
Taking over District 3, vacated by Chrissy Holman who did not seek reelection, will be Lillian “Lill” Johnson, who amassed 937 votes. Her challenger, Sebronette Barnes-Aborom, received 438 votes.
“I’m really excited to be joining the school board, being a part of moving our district forward and working with all of the other board members,” Johnson said. “I definitely want to make sure our students are in a safe environment while pursuing a quality education and are pushed to their full potential.”
Johnson added that she appreciates everyone who put their trust in her to serve the school district, and she wants to be a voice in the community to help the students, teachers and taxpayers.
In District 4, Jimmy “Porky” Walters won the seat with 1,170 votes, while Valeria Aikens Davis received 467 votes. The seat is currently occupied by Wendy Hammonds, who also did not seek reelection.
Walters said he’s very excited to join the school board and thankful for the opportunity the constituents in his district afforded him.
“First, my focus is going to be on the children. Second is the workers and taxpayers,” Walters said about his priorities.
In the presidential race, Marion Countians cast 7,759 votes for President-Elect Donald Trump and Vice President-Elect JD Vance while Kamala Harris and her running mate Tim Walz received 3,176 votes.
For the United States Senate, Roger Wicker-R received 7,733 votes to Democrat challenger Ty Pinkins’ 3,202.
For the Southern District 2 of Supreme Court, Dawn H. Beam received 6,173 votes to 3,637 for David P. Sullivan.
Marion County election commissioners for Districts 1, 3 and 5 all ran unopposed as Mike Bennett-R, Dale Bracey-R and Ada “Jackie” Hammond-D will remain, respectively.
