Longtime Boise school trustee A J Balukoff will not seek re-election later this summer.
In an email to Idaho Education News, Balukoff said he will step aside after 21 years on the school board.
The Boise businessman and accountant was most recently elected to the school board in 2012, before stepping into statewide politics to twice run for governor. Balukoff was the Democratic gubernatorial nominee in 2014, losing to Republican incumbent Butch Otter. This year, he lost in the Democratic primary to former state Rep. Paulette Jordan.
But as Balukoff is stepping away from the board, other candidates have stepped into the race.
Incumbent Maria Greeley has filed paperwork to run for re-election, and fellow incumbent Troy Rohn told Idaho Education News that he plans to run again.
Another candidate has filed campaign paperwork: Alicia Shier Estey, senior associate vice president of campus operations and chief compliance officer at Boise State University.
“The Boise School District has a stellar reputation and legacy of excellence,” Estey said a news release announcing her candidacy. “I would be honored to serve our community, students, teachers and administrators to continue and build upon this legacy.”
Estey enters the race with backing from incumbent trustee Beth Oppenheimer, who is advising her campaign.
Boise trustee candidates must file campaign paperwork by 5 p.m. Friday.
Three races will be on the ballot, and all candidates run on a single ballot. In other words, the top three vote-getters will each be elected to six-year terms.
The election will be held Sept. 4.
Originally posted on IdahoEdNews.org on June 25, 2018