Aliyya Swaby Photo
Anais Nunez is dropping out of the race for one the Board of Education’s new elected positions, to focus on advocacy instead of politics.
Nunez (pictured) was one of the first people to file papers to run in a Sept. 16 Democratic primary for a seat on the board.
Due to a 2013 charter referendum, voters will now choose two voting members on the Board of Education; in the past, the mayor has appointed all members. Three remaining candidates have filed papers to start campaigns: longtime educator Edward Joyner in District 1, and former Alder Angela Russell and former West Hills Alder Darnell Goldson in District 2.
As of Wednesday no other candidates had filed for the District 1 seat.
Nunez, an active participant in local charter-school rallies, said she is dropping out of the race because the Independent and others labeled her “pro-charter,” instead of “pro-school,” in order “to create controversy.” She said she will be less limited in her advocacy than she would be campaigning for a position on the board.
“The system is working against low-income families,” she said. “I don’t want people to think that I want thousands of dollars in the bank account for me to broadcast my face around New Haven.”
Nunez was running against Joyner, a child-development pioneer who raised $10,000 of his intended $30,000 during his first fundraiser. Now that she’s dropping out, she said, she wants to help him win.
“If Dr. Joyner allows me to, by me pulling out of the race, work as a canvasser in his campaign, I can be a family advocate,” she said.
Nunez plans to open a 24/7 daycare center — to help parents who work overnight — which she said “will be Christian-based,” unlike traditional schools. She also serves as citywide president of New Haven Head Start’s Policy Council. This Saturday afternoon, she is hosting an event at 173 Franklin St. at the Farnam Courts development through the Resident Union Council, an organization she founded to donate food and other resources to the community.