Tonya Chestnut leads in contest for Alabama State Board of Education • Alabama Reflector

Tonya Chestnut Tuesday was leading in the polls as the District 5 representative on the State Board of Education.

As of around 11:30 p.m., Chestnut, a retired educator and Democrat who has served on the board since 2021, had 141,374 votes (54.97%) in unofficial returns, according to the Alabama Secretary of State’s website. Republican challenger David Perry had 115,417 votes (44.87%).

There were 414 write-ins, or 0.16%.

The Associated Press had not called the race as of 11:30 p.m.

Chestnut wrote in a text Tuesday evening that the counties in her district had reported 100%, which gave her the victory.

“A special thanks to District 5 for choosing Chestnut Again!” she wrote. “I count it an honor to continue to serve and represent District 5.”

Perry wrote in a text Tuesday evening that he had no immediate comment and would respond when his camp gets the final numbers.

District 5 includes much of the Black Belt and most of Montgomery County.

Chestnut said saw school safety as a priority. She also highlighted her work seeking funding to help struggling readers beyond third grade. The Alabama State Department of Education has included funding for that program in its fiscal year 2025 Education Trust Fund request.

Chestnut also said that she has been looking into weighted student funding formulas in other states, which has been a topic of discussion for legislative leaders.

In March, Allen Long, District 7, and Kelly Mooney, District 3, won Republican primaries in races without Democratic candidates.