Blessing Withdraws From BOE Race

Board of Education candidate Jessica Blessing announced Monday that she was ending her candidacy in the April 27 election, for personal reasons. Blessing’s decision leaves the BOE with seven candidates for three seats.

“At this time, I need to put all my energy and attention into my family,” Blessing said in a letter to Patch. “I do not feel I can give the 110% necessary to serve on the Board of Education.”

Blessing informed interim BOE Secretary Vincent Yaniro of her decision late Friday afternoon. Yaniro is the town’s chief school election official.

While Blessing is ending her campaign for the BOE, her name will remain on the ballot in the April 27 election. An official with the Union County Clerk’s office said that the ballots have been printed and mail-in ballots and military ballots have already been sent out.

Voters will still have the option of voting for Blessing on April 27 and the votes will count. If Blessing does finish in the top three, she will have the option of assuming a seat. If Blessing should win and then decline a seat, the BOE will then appoint someone to hold the seat for a one-year term and a special election will be held during the April 2012 BOE election to fill the remaining two years of the term.

Blessing is the second BOE candidate in two consecutive elections to drop out of the election before the vote. Last year, days after the filing deadline. The BOE received a court order to remove Conover's name from the ballot, which had not been printed when Conover announced her decision, which came shortly after the formal deadline to leave the race.

Blessing's decision comes two days before the BOE debate.

The remaining candidates are BOE Vice President Ann Cary, Mark Friedman, former BOE member Keith Hertell, Karym Hoens, Rosanne Kurstedt, Joseph Micelli and Jennifer Silva.

“I wish all the candidates good luck and know that whoever is elected will be able to give that 110% and do a great job,” Blessing said in her letter.