Jackie Norris, the Des Moines School Board chair, ended her campaign on Thursday, reports the AP. Norris cited the arrest of the Des Moines schools superintendent as a factor in her decision.
Jeff Stein is attorney and broadcaster who has previously talked to AFN about this story. He said that it became very clear that the campaign was going to suffer as a result of the school board situation.
"In her announcement of candidacy, Miss Norris focused on her leadership skills as president of the school board. When you put front and center a certain qualification and it appears that the whole situation is blowing up around you, you cannot remain viable," says Stein.
In the immediate aftermath of the school situation and the then-superintendent being apprehended, Norris sent out a fundraising pitch to say that she was so busy with the school district that she didn't have time to raise the money needed in time for the September 30th deadline. According to Stein, Norris then sent out news releases talking about her work with the school board.
"As that situation got worse and worse and worse, that's not exactly a qualification that is going to be positive for a campaign, and I think she saw her money started to dry up as a result," says Stein.
Superintendent Ian Andre Roberts was arrested in late September by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement In a September 26th press release, ICE said Roberts is a "criminal illegal alien from Guyana" and was found in "possession of a loaded handgun, $3,000 in cash, and a fixed blade hunting knife." It has since been reported by news outlets including the Des Moines Register that Roberts "did not receive the doctoral degree he frequently claimed."
Amid the controversy, Norris – who once worked as an aide for First Lady Michelle Obama -- said it was not the fault of the school district or board for the hire. On October 3rd, Des Moines Public Schools filed a lawsuit against the consulting firm hired to help find a superintendent.
