Zucker defeats Mast in District 2 School Board race

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Teresa Mast stood on a barstool in Gecko’s Grill & Pub, offering her friends, family and supporters a tearful “thank you” after losing the District 2 School Board seat to incumbent Caroline Zucker. 

Mast and Zucker ran a contentious campaign characterized by political influences and record-breaking campaign contributions. As of election day Zucker and Mast raised a collective $106,000, which exceeds the amount raised by Bridget Ziegler and her opponent Ken Marsh in their 2014 School Board race.

Though she was criticized by conservatives after being endorsed by the Democratic Party and receiving funds from Future Generations Inc., a mostly Democratically funded PAC, Zucker said she is proud she garnered support from both parties. 

“This is education. It’s the future of our country," Zucker said. “Both parties should have a say in this. That’s why I’m really proud that both parties did support me.”

Zucker raised $6,000 for her first School Board race in 1992. During this year's campaign she raised $48,700. 

However, some Republicans were not so thrilled with the results. Mike Moran, who won his race for the District 1 County Commission seat against Frank DiCicco, criticized the Democratic Party for its involvement in the race in the form of what he called dark money contributions to Zucker's campaign. 

“The Democratic Party stepped into a non-partisan race,” Moran said. “I think its egregious and a slap in the face to the process.”

“I appreciate your support from the bottom of my heart,” Mast said. “We’ll get ’em next time.”