Norristown School Board members initiate write-in campaign following withdrawal of support from local party.

In Norristown, Pennsylvania, two members of the Norristown Area School Board, President Chris Jaramillo and board member Tessi Ruiz, have initiated a write-in campaign for reelection in response to concerns about maintaining Latino representation in a school district where half of the student population identifies as Latino. Their announcement came ahead of the May 20 primary election, after the local Democratic committee opted not to endorse their candidacies, leading to their removal from the ballot due to legal challenges regarding their petitions.

Earlier this year, the Democratic committee representing Norristown, East Norriton, and West Norriton chose to support a slate of new candidates for the five available school board positions, which, if elected, would result in the complete loss of Latino representation on the board. Community activists argue that the continued involvement of Jaramillo and Ruiz is crucial at a time when the Latino community faces significant challenges, including increased immigration enforcement under the current administration. Stephanie Vincent, the lead organizer for Community for Change, underscored the importance of their reelection, framing it as an issue of equity and justice.

The decision of local Democrats to withdraw support for Jaramillo and Ruiz appears to be linked to their vote against a tax abatement for an affordable housing development in Norristown, a project that had garnered support from certain county leaders. This has led to broader allegations of a culture within the Montgomery County Democratic Party that stifles dissent, as articulated by Jaramillo.

Bill Caldwell, the party leader who spearheaded the decision not to back the incumbents, has indicated that the rejection of the tax abatement was a significant factor in the party’s stance. Caldwell, who also has previous experience as a Norristown supervisor and holds a position in the Montgomery County Treasurer’s Office, did not respond to inquiries regarding the write-in campaign.

Frustration has mounted among local Latino leaders regarding the Democratic Party’s choices, asserting that the needs of Latino students and families have been overlooked. Jaramillo and Ruiz are recognized for their dedication to ensuring that the voices of Latino families are considered within the school system, a responsibility that community advocates deem increasingly important.

In contrast to Jaramillo and Ruiz, the slate endorsed by the local Democratic committee includes Cynthia Davenport, a retired multicultural marketing consultant and substitute teacher; Terell Dale, an engineer; Jeremiah Lemke, a former school principal and nonprofit educator; and Jordan Alexander, a community activist. Caldwell has asserted that this new slate is committed to advocating for Latino students while presenting a diverse representation of backgrounds, aimed at addressing the community’s educational needs.

The upcoming election is seen by many as not only a referendum on school leadership but also a crucial test of the extent to which diverse voices are represented in education and local governance within Norristown.