Longtime school board member Maurine C. Jensen easily defeated political newcomer Mark E. Hurst and won a fifth four-year term on the Jordan Board of Education.
Jensen got 5,490 votes while Hurst got 3,621 votes.Jensen, who declined to give her age during the campaign, termed one of her strengths her experience as a retired educator who has experience with elementary, junior high and high school students. She also said she had not planned to run again but was urged to do so by the mayors of West Jordan and Midvale, the West Jordan Chamber of Commerce and Rep. Kelly Atkinson, D-Salt Lake.
Hurst, 47, maintained he could bring a fresh perspective to the board and, despite the fact that he isn't a parent, has done considerable volunteer work with youth and understands key educational issues.
In District 3, political newcomer Ann C. Forbush handily defeated another first-time office seeker, Dick Loomis.
Forbush got 8,533 votes while Loomis got 4,423 votes.
They were vying for the seat formerly held by board member Rodney Dahl, who was defeated in the primary.
Loomis, who came in second in the primary, said his business and financial background would serve the district well. In her campaign, retired teacher Forbush emphasized her 24 years in the classroom teacher and pledged to put students first.
Ellen S. Wallace, who was unopposed in District 2, won with 10,740 votes.