Editor’s note: This story is one in a series on the June 2 primary election. For more coverage, visit vcstar.com/news/elections.
In the Ventura County Superintendent of Schools race, school board member Karen Sher took an early lead in the June 2 primary, earning significantly more votes than incumbent César Morales.
In preliminary results released shortly after the polls closed at 8 p.m., Sher had 40%, or 41,951, of the votes counted so far, while educator Maggie Marschner had 32.5%, or 34,081, of the votes. Morales had 27.5%, or 28,833, of the votes.
Sher is the director of teacher recruitment for the California Department of Education and an Oxnard Union High School District Board member. Marschner was principal of La Reina High School and Middle School in Thousand Oaks from 2019 until its closure in 2024.
Morales has faced increasing criticism in recent weeks. On May 26, the Ventura County Board of Education voted unanimously to undertake a forensic audit after Morales admitted twice to granting himself and his top deputies pay and benefits that weren’t authorized by the board.
Morales leads all candidates in both contributions and expenditures, having received more than $85,000 and spent more than $50,000, according to the latest recipient committee campaign statements.
Though the superintendent of schools is a nonpartisan position, Morales and Sher said they are Democrats. Marschner said she is independent.
In county-level races, a candidate who receives more than 50% of the votes in the primary wins the seat outright. If no candidate earns more than half of the votes, the top two finishers advance to the general election in November.
The results released on June 2 include all votes cast at the polling places on or before that day, along with absentee ballots that were submitted in advance of the election. Ballots that were turned in on or shortly before Election Day or were mailed close to Election Day will be counted in the coming days and weeks, and the Ventura County Elections Division will release updated vote totals.
What to know about the superintendent of schools race
The local superintendent of schools leads the Ventura County Office of Education, which employs more than 700 individuals and provides training and support services to the county’s 19 school districts and 12 charter schools. The office also runs schools and programs in areas such as special education, alternative education, career education and education for children in the juvenile justice system.
Morales, previously deputy superintendent of schools, was appointed to the role in 2021 after Stan Mantooth retired. Morales was elected for his first full term in 2022 and is now running for his second full term.
Makena Huey is an investigative and watchdog reporter for the Ventura County Star. Reach her at makena.huey@vcstar.com. This story was made possible by a grant from the Ventura County Community Foundation’s Fund to Support Local Journalism.
This article originally appeared on Ventura County Star: Superintendent of schools primary results: Sher takes early lead
Reporting by Makena Huey, Ventura County Star / Ventura County Star
USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect
