Election 2022: Democrat Blair withdraws from superintendent race
Blair says he plans to support other candidates
In one of the first big surprises of the 2022 campaign, former Gwinnett County school board chairman Everton Blair announced on Friday that he will not be running for state school superintendent after all.
The Democrat shared on social media that he will suspend his campaign and that he plans to support other Democratic candidates. He also said that he plans to serve the remainder of his term on the Gwinnett school board.
Blair’s announcement signals that other Democrats could soon enter the race to take on Republican incumbent Richard Woods. Cobb County school board member Dr. Jaha Howard, a pediatric dentist, is seeking the Democratic nomination. Former school superintendent John Barge is challenging Woods for the Republican nomination.
Georgia candidates are set to begin formally qualifying to run for state offices next week.
Blair historic 2018 election made him the first Black and openly gay member of the Gwinnett County school board. Campaigning on the promise of being a “bridge-builder,” Blair entered the race in January with endorsements from several prominent Democrats, including U.S. Rep. Lucy McBath, Georgia Legislative Black Caucus chairman Billy Mitchell, and several school board leaders across the state.
His statement did not specify a reason for his withdrawal.
“To the thousands of Georgians who have amplified, supported and contributed to this campaign — our work has not been in vein.” He said he plans to continue working to improve the education of Georgia students. “I’m excited to continue that work together.”