Four New Possible Candidates Could Create a Contested Election for Walnut Creek School District race

In the past, candidates for the Walnut Creek School District board of trustees have rarely had to go to any length or expense to mount a campaign--much less a campaign committee to raise dollars.  

Outgoing board member Dan Walden said that in his 22 years on the board, he only remembers once being challenged to keep his seat. 

But then word went out that that the district has three seats open for the November 8 election, and that, so far, only two candidates, incumbents Angela Borchardt and Barbara Pennington, had filed to run. Walden, the third incumbent who was up for re-election, decided to bow out of the race. 

In the the past few days, not one but four possible candidates have shown enough interest in a school board position to pull nomination papers from the Contra Costa County Elections Division. They are Cynthia Chadwick Darling, Jon Michael Johnston, Tobias McCabe Lester, and Robert Stankus. Walden had also pulled papers but decided not to run.

These candidates will have until 5 p.m. Wednesday to file their papers.  

Walnut Creek School District Superintedent Patty Wool also sent out an email to the parent community Tuesday, reminding them of the upcoming election and the filing deadlines.