Madison County school board: Sluder, Hollifield win primaries

MARSHALL - Republican Melissa Sluder will challenge incumbent Madison County Board of Education Chair Karen Blevins in November after Sluder defeated Tony Ponder and Scott Greene in the May 17 primary.

According to the North Carolina State Board of Elections, Sluder received 36% of votes (688 votes in total), while Ponder (606 votes) and Greene (602 votes) both received 32% of votes.

"I was very humbled and grateful and thankful to God in heaven, first off. And then, to each and every person that took time out to vote for me," Sluder said. "I could not have done it without the love and support from the community. I'm committed to this endeavor, because I believe we can be better together.

"My work has just begun as I move on to November and the general election because I know that we can all be better together. We are Madison County - we have the best of the best right here in this county."

Sluder said she has had peace since she signed up to run for board chair.

"I have had peace since I signed up to run for this seat, because I have been following what I feel like is the will of God for my life," she said. "So I haven't worried one second about it. I have had my nose to the ground working the entire time. I gave it to God, whatever his will is for my life tonight, and he made this happen."

Sluder said her primary focus ahead of the November general election will be to continue working.

"I feel like I'm going to keep my head down and working for the betterment of the staff, the students and the community," Sluder said. "As we move towards that general election, I feel like there's a lot of work that needs to be done. I've already been on the ground working for our community, so I'm going to continue to do that as we move into the November election."

District 1 race

Vickie Hollifield defeated Ashley Thomason in the District 1 race. Hollifield received 548 votes (54%), while Thomas received 473 votes (46%).

"I am thankful for the people of Madison County who came out to vote and chose to have me represent them in the November election," Hollifield said.

Hollifeld said she was not sure what to expect heading into the May 17 primary.

"I truly didn't know what to expect," she said. "I did what I felt I needed to do and left it in the hands of the people."

Hollifield will face incumbent Madison County Board of Education member Barbara Wyatt in the November general election.

"I will continue working, researching and listening to parents' concerns," Hollifield said. "I will also continue speaking out on behalf of the residents of Madison County."

This article originally appeared on Asheville Citizen Times: Madison County school board: Sluder, Hollifield win primaries