Should School Board Elections Be Partisan?

Should voters know if school board candidates are Democrats or Republicans?

That’s the debate stirring in Shelby County after a 2021 state law allowed partisan school board races.

Justin Johnson, a conservative political contributor, told KWAM Thursday the GOP should run conservative school board candidates.

“This is really sad, especially considering in Shelby County as Republicans — we’ve pretty much lost every seat,” Johnson told “Wake Up Memphis” hosts Ben Deeter and Todd Starnes.

Should school board races be partisan? Justin Johnson (@TripleJ1983) is pushing GOP chairman Cary Vaughn to run GOP candidates in upcoming school board elections. Story below: pic.twitter.com/wYBZNAM8Y6

— KWAM NewsTalk Memphis (@Mighty990KWAM) August 17, 2023

Democrats plan on taking advantage of the partisan races — especially in Memphis, a source told KWAM.

Shelby County Republican Party Chair Cary Vaughn has stated previously the party will not pursue partisan school board races.

“This is silencing our voice, especially in our municipalities where they are extremely red,” Johnson added.

Johnson said he, along with a group from Moms for Liberty, are meeting with Chairman Vaughn Thursday to push the party to run Republican candidates in upcoming school board races.

Listen to our full conversation with Johnson below: