Laura Judge, the parent of two Cobb County School District students and a local political activist, said Friday she will formally announce her campaign for the Cobb Board of Education next week.
Judge, a Democrat, issued a release late Friday saying that the official kickoff event will take place next Wednesday at Tin Lizzie’s Cantina at The Avenue East Cobb.
She’s running for the Post 5 seat currently held by four-term Republican David Banks, and that includes the Walton, Wheeler and Pope high school clusters.
(Here’s her campaign website.)
As we reported last month, Judge filed a declaration of intent to run form with the Cobb Board of Elections, but that doesn’t obligate her to launch a campaign.
“I’m excited to announce my candidacy for the Cobb County School Board,” Judge said in her release on Friday.
“While our East Cobb schools are some of the best in not only the county, but the state and nation, community members still have questions regarding financial decisions, literacy concerns, school safety, and discipline issues.”
She said that “while I appreciate that the incumbent Mr. Banks has dedicated close to 16 years of service, it is time for a change that will bring in a knowledgeable and dedicated parent that represents the community.”
Banks told East Cobb News last month he hasn’t decided on whether to seek another term.
John Cristadoro, a Republican with two children in the Walton cluster, announced his candidacy for Post 5 seat.
Judge, who’s also a parent in the Walton cluster, has been a visible figure at Cobb school board meetings over the last two years, speaking at public comment sessions, primarily about school safety and financial issues.
She’s a member of Watching the Funds-Cobb, a citizen group that has been critical of Cobb school district spending decisions, as well as Moms Demand Action, which advocates for gun safety. Judge is an education adviser in the “cabinet” of Cobb District 2 Commissioner Jerica Richardson.
Judge and her husband run a digital content marketing company.
Banks is part of 4-3 Republican majority on the school board. Three of those GOP seats will be on the ballot in 2024.
The primaries are scheduled for next May.
Judge’s kickoff takes place next Wednesday at 6 p.m. at Tin Lizzy’s (4475 Roswell Road, Suite 1510).
Related:
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- Cobb Library System’s ‘Vision to Learn’ Partnership expanding
- Golden K Kiwanis, East Cobb UMC volunteer at Powers Ferry ES reading challenge
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- Cobb first responders, volunteers treated to appreciation lunch
- East Cobb Park volunteer group seeks new members
- Food collection non-profit starts drive for Sedalia Park ES students
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I wish Ms Judge success. Pretty much anybody would represent a massive improvement on Banks. About the best that can be said for David Banks is that he’s a deranged kook