Write-in jumps into school race

Erin Moravitz seeks board slot

With only two contenders for three available seats, Ely’s school board race will be decided at least in part by write-in balloting.

And now there’s at least one write-in candidate.

Erin Moravitz announced this week that she’ll seek write-in votes in the Nov. 5 election A filing period closed last month with only incumbents Tom Omerza and Hollee Coombe entering the race.

That ensured that a writein contender would fill one of the positions, and Moravitz is the first to publicly announce a candidacy.

“I’ve been thinking about it for a couple of weeks,” Moravitz said Wednesday. “And I finally decided last Friday that I’m going to do it. And I’m excited to run for school board.”

Moravitz brings many ties to the Ely School District.

“First of all, I’m a class of 1998 graduate, and I think it would be a privilege to work with the administration to foster a successful education for all kids attending the Ely schools,” said Moravitz. “Also I have a stepdaughter in high school and two nieces who attend. And eventually my younger niece and nephew will be attending. Knowing I can be part of that and also play a role in helping the education of all students would be really rewarding for me.”

Moravitz said she had not thought about entering the race during the filing period to get on the ballot, but her interest piqued after filings closed and there were only two candidates entered.

Support from family and friends also spurred her decision.

“Honestly I was nervous about it, but after giving it more thought I said ‘I’ll do it,’” said Moravitz.

Moravitz said “communication, empathy and finding common ground,” would be important to her in office and added “regardless of whether we have a different opinion it’s important that we talk to each other.”

Omerza and Coombe are both seeking re-election to the board while a third incumbent, longtime board chairman Ray Marsnik, did not file for re-election.

At least once in recent history, Ely district voters elected a write-in candidate to the school board.

That was in 2003 when write-in candidate Keith Turner unseated incumbent Walt Gessler in a campaign that was decided by a recount.

This year’s school board race is in sharp contrast to two years ago, when on the heels of controversial issues that arose during the Covid-19 pandemic, nine candidates chased four board positions.

Moravitz said she’ll work to raise awareness about her write-in candidacy, including lawn signs that will go up around the Ely area and word of mouth.

“I will talk to people and be letting them know,” she said.