Stephanie Wisener will remain eligible for the Marshall County Schools superintendent's race after surviving a second ballot challenge.
Wisener, a longtime educator now serving as the Marshall County Alternative School's supervisor, faced a ballot challenge in February after her Republican Party affiliation was called into question.
During a hearing with the Marshall County Executive Committee, Wisener was accused of voting Democrat in the 2024 election, which would be within the Alabama Republican Party's six-year rule for candidates switching parties to Republican. It was also alleged that she had a campaign sign for independent school board candidate Jerred Cantrell in her yard.
State voting records show that Wisener did vote in the 2024 Democratic primary after voting Republican in 2020.
Wisener argued that there was an error at her polling location in 2024 and that she voted Republican despite the records indicating otherwise.
"It is known and was openly discussed during the first challenge that there were registration issues on the day in question, and I have voted Republican in previous elections," Wisener told 1819 News.
She also told The Advertiser Gleam in February that the campaign sign was placed in her yard by her husband, not her.
The Committee decided in February to allow Wisener to remain on the ballot.
State Sen. Wes Kitchens (R-Arab), the Marshall County Republican chairman, told The Gleam in February, "The ballot challenge was not upheld, and Stephanie Wisener may remain on the ballot. There is an appeal process, but the county party voted to dismiss the challenge."
After prompting from the state party, the Committee met again and reaffirmed its decision in April, this time with every member present.
Wisener blamed her opponent, incumbent superintendent Cindy Wigley, for bringing the challenges against her as a "distraction" to derail her campaign.
"I have tried to keep my campaign clean and focused on the real issues involved in running for Marshall County School Superintendent… Unfortunately, the incumbent has continued trying to remove me from the ballot and take away the voters' right to choose," Wisener said.
"I believe it is unfortunate that my political opponent would rather focus on removing me from the race than running on her own record. Instead of allowing the people of Marshall County to decide, she continues trying to silence the voices of my supporters."
Wigley denied being personally involved in bringing the challenges. However, she emphasized the importance of Republican candidates reflecting "genuine Republican values."
"Let me be clear: I did not attend the meeting in question, nor did I participate in any discussion with local committee members in order to undermine the outcome. Any claim suggesting otherwise is simply inaccurate," she said. "However, there are bylaws and standing rules of the Party in which she has chosen to represent."
Wigley criticized Wisener for only addressing the sign when asked about the challenge in February. However, Wigley said the main issue was Wisener's voting record.
"The Secretary of State records clearly show she voted as a Democrat in the last presidential primary election. Therefore, the issue is about election integrity and the integrity of the Republican Party. The Republican name should stand for clear, consistent principles. Candidates seeking to run under the party banner should genuinely reflect republican values, not use the party label as a political convenience while advancing positions that undermine it. Simply put, in order to run as a republican, you should be a Republican."
Wigley thanked the Committee for its effort to fully vet its candidates, while Wisner thanked the members for allowing her to stay on the ballot.
"I am truly sorry that this campaign has moved away from what it should be, a conversation about what is best for the future of Marshall County Schools. Education should never be about politics. It should be about students, teachers, families, and our community," she said. "...When I decided to run, I never imagined my opponent would make this more about politics than about educating our children."
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