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Spokane, Washington  Est. May 19, 1883

Central Valley School Board District 3

Election Results

Candidate Votes Pct
Stephanie Jerdon 12,726 50.94%
Debra L. Long 12,255 49.06%

* Race percentages are calculated with data from the Secretary of State's Office, which omits write-in votes from its calculations when there are too few to affect the outcome. The Spokane County Auditor's Office may have slightly different percentages than are reflected here because its figures include any write-in votes.

About The Race

The Candidates

Stephanie Jerdon

Age:
45
City:
Spokane Valley, Washington

Education: Graduated from Brigham Young University in 2001 with a degree in elementary education. Graduated from Victor Valley Community College in 1998 with an associate degree in Fine Arts.

Work experience: Works as the programming associate at the Liberty Lake Library since May after volunteering at the library since 2021. Taught fifth and sixth grade at Sunset View Elementary School from 2001 to 2003. Volunteered as an Air Force key spouse from 2004-2007. Currently a volunteer at her children’s schools since 2007. President of church children’s organizations at two different congregations in Nevada and Ohio from 2010-2013 and from 2014-2016. President of church teen girl’s organizations from 2016-2018 and 2020-2023 at congregations in Greenacres and Spokane Valley.

Political experience: First run for office.

Family: Married to Jacob Jerdon. Has three children, two graduated from and one still attending schools in the district.

Campaign finance: Raised more than $12,600 as of Sept. 22, including $1,200 from James Mulloy, the CEO of Hospitality Associates Inc.; $1,000 from radiologist Michael Dobson; and $250 from Citizens for CVSD Transparency, a group that opposes all the incumbents running for re-election on the school board this year.

Debra L. Long

Age:
69
City:
Spokane Valley, Washington

Education: Graduated from Clarkston High School in 1972. Graduated from Spokane Falls Community College with a degree in accounting in 1974. Graduated from Eastern Washington University in 1993 with a business degree and in 1996 with a master’s degree in public administration.

Work experience: Has worked as accounting manager at Rockwood Retirement Communities since 1997. Worked as a business administrator at Windermere Real Estate from 1993-1997. Chief accountant and assistant to the controller at Wonder Bread and Hostess Cakes from 1982-1993. Owner of CJ’s Ultimate Pizza from 1984-1992.

Political experience: First elected to the Central Valley School Board in 2003. Elected vice chair of Republicans of Spokane County in 2023. Appointed district leader in the Spokane County GOP in 2022. Elected chair for Republicans of Spokane County from 2021-2023. Central Valley craft fair chairperson since 1997. Elected in leadership in the Washington State School Directors Association from 2010-2014, including president in 2012. Served on WSSDA board of directors from 2014-2022. Served on EWU alumni board from 2010-2012.

Family: Married to William Long. Has two sons who graduated from Central Valley High School.

Campaign finance: Raised nearly $9,500 as of Sept. 22, including $1,000 from retired U.S. Ambassador Ryan Crocker, $950 from the Washington Education Association, $500 from Central Valley School Board member Teresa Landa and $450 from the Spokane County Democratic Central Committee.

Complete Coverage

Central Valley School Board newcomers assume office

Two newly elected Central Valley School Board members assumed office, and the board selected its internal leadership at Monday’s school board meeting.

How the Valley was won: Conservative newcomers to Central Valley School Board ready for teamwork, concern for levy passage

After its most contentious election in recent memory, the Central Valley School Board will see new faces in December, though not a complete sweep of challengers.

Two of three challengers in contentious Central Valley school board election overtake long-time incumbents

Two longtime Central Valley School Board members lost their re-election bids in last week’s vote.

Another Central Valley School Board incumbent falls behind in third day of vote counting

Long-time Central Valley School Board member Debra Long lost her lead Friday in her bid to retain her seat, putting more conservative candidates on a path for winning the majority on the board.

Early results show tight races for Central Valley School Board

It was too close to call the victors late Tuesday in Central Valley School Board’s contentious and expensive races this year between conservative challengers and long-time incumbents.

The six candidates for Central Valley School Board discuss legislative advocacy, parent’s rights in candidate forum

Curriculum, local control and parents’ role in education dominated conversation among candidates in a student-moderated Central Valley School Board election forum Monday evening.

Long-time incumbent who stresses student opportunities faces challenger calling for more transparency on Central Valley School Board

Debra Long has served on the Central Valley School Board for about 20 years, and she is proud to point to a record she says has boosted academics and opportunities for students.