Board seats at Carmel Clay Schools are won by nonpartisan PAC candidates

Carmel, Indiana – Candidates supported by the Support CCS political action committee won both of the at-large seats in the fiercely contested Carmel Clay Schools Board election.

Candidates Dina Ferchmin (18,127) and Robin Clark (20,530) were easily defeated by John Shapiro (27,765 votes) and Kristina Wheeler (26,113).

“I will ensure that Carmel Clay Schools remains a top-performing district and that students and teachers have the resources they need to be successful,” Shapiro stated in a statement that was uploaded to his Campaign Facebook page.

With yesterday’s wins, the nonpartisan group Support CCS has now endorsed four of the five school board candidates elected in the last two elections.

Jennifer Cashin, the chairperson of the PAC, pointed out that neither major party supports public education. It belongs to everyone in our community. If they keep targeting our schools, that is the main concern I have. What does that signify?

Cashin is alluding to Republican forces’ consecutive attempts in these school board contests.

The Hamilton County Republican Party and three well-known GOP heavyweights—U.S. Senator Todd Young, Indiana Attorney General Todd Young, and Indiana House Member Jerry Torr—endorsed three candidates two years ago.

Greg Brown was the only Republican-backed candidate to win that 2022 election.

There was a more subdued attempt in this year’s election. In order to support school board candidates who, in the organization’s opinion, more accurately represented the city’s ideals, the political action committee Carmel Excellence was established.

During their campaigns, endorsed candidates Dina Ferchmin and Robin Clark openly acknowledged their Republican affiliation and highlighted their conservative credentials. Republicans have historically held a majority of elected office in this city.

Clark’s campaign even received a late donation of $9,750 from the Hamilton County GOP. When campaign finance reports are filed after the election, it appears that the total amount spent throughout the battle will surpass $200,000.

With significant wins in back-to-back elections, Chasin expects conservative forces to continue their aggressive campaign.

“I wish they would take down their tent and leave. But when someone wants to have a political agenda, I’m not gullible enough to merely stop them,” Chasin remarked.