Primary clarifies race for Plum School Board between 5 Democrats, 5 Republicans

Brian C. Rittmeyer | Tuesday, May 16, 2023 11:01 p.m.

Tribune-Review

Tuesday’s primary cleared up a crowded field for Plum School Board, narrowing a field of 14 down to 10 — five from each party, to vie for five seats in November.

Although all 14 candidates were cross-filed, none of the candidates advanced on both ballots, according to unofficial election results.

With 100% of precincts reporting, advancing on the Democratic ballot are Renee Richardson, 15%; Amy Wetmore, 13%; Michael Caliguiri, 13%; Michelle Stepnick, 11%; and Justin Newman, 11%.

Caliguiri, Stepnick and Wetmore are incumbents.

Advancing on the Republican ballot are Lindsay Arenth, 12%; Eric Gumkowski, 12%; Mark Stropkaj, 12%; Aaron Butler, 10%; and Gary Motor, 10%.

The Republican winners were all endorsed by Plum’s Republican committee and are all newcomers.

Four of the five endorsed by Plum’s Democratic committee were successful — Caliguiri, Newman, Richardson and Wetmore.

Democrats had also endorsed incumbent Adam Hill, who came in sixth behind Newman with 9%.

Stepnick was unendorsed. Also running unendorsed was incumbent Michael Devine Jr., current board president, who came in seventh on the Democratic ballot behind Hill with about 8%.