Cars line up at the ballot drop box at the Jackson County Elections Office on West Main Street in Medford in 2023. 

Lilia Caballero seemed on her way to a third term with the Medford School Board, but two other incumbents were on their way to defeat, according to special election results released at 6 a.m. Wednesday by the Jackson County Clerk’s Office.

Caballero held 75.59% of the vote in the Position 7 race, compared to only 23.98% for perennial candidate Curt Ankerberg, according to unofficial results.

But Caballero seemed to be the only incumbent with a safe lead.

Michelle Atkinson, a nonprofit adviser, had 51% of the vote in the race for Position 5, compared to 24% for incumbent Tod Hunt, and 24.73% for Taryne Saunders.

Kendell Ferguson, a lawyer in Grants Pass, was leading the race for Medford School Board Director, Position 4, with 47% of the vote, compared to 34% for incumbent Ilex Brandenberger, and 19% for Chris Miller.

Michael Williams, a state hemp inspector, was in the lead for Position 6, with 52% of the vote, compared to 40% for Robin Lee, a retired insurance adjuster, and 7% for Melody Tuivanu.

Turnout for the special election across Jackson County was reported Wednesday at 22.19%, according to the Oregon Secretary of State Office.

— Kevin Opsahl

Phoenix-Talent School Board

Incumbents Dawn Watson, Rick Nagel and Rebecca Weathers retained their seats on the Phoenix-Talent School Board, according to unofficial results updated at 6 a.m. Wednesday by the Jackson County Clerk’s Office.

Watson bested Lisa Jennings 53% to 47% to claim Position 2 in Zone 2.

Nagel topped Kevin Christman 52% to 48% for Position 4 in Zone 1.

Weathers beat Rick Sharp 55% to 41% for Position 5 in Zone 1. The positions have four-year terms.

— Tony Boom

Central Point School Board

Cathy Salmon and Cindy Tilley Case, both incumbents running for reelection to the Central Point School Board, held strong leads over their opponents in Wednesday morning results.

Cindy Tilley Case, who has served on the board since 1994, had 68% of the vote compared to 31% for Rick Thomas in the race for Position 3.

Salmon, chair of the school board, had 69% of the vote, compared to 29% for Connie Payant in the race for Position 5.

— Kevin Opsahl

Ashland School Board

In the race for Position 2 on the Ashland School District Board, Dan Ruby had a solid lead, with 56% of the vote, over Russell Philips, who had 44% of the vote in unofficial results updated at 6 a.m. Wednesday by the Jackson County Clerk’s Office.

For Position 5, Russell Hatch was leading handily with 70% of the vote, compared to 29% for his opponent, Toria Clason.

All four candidates in the election have children in the Ashland School District, but each comes from distinctly different backgrounds. There were no incumbents in this election. Sabrina Prud’homme, Position 2, and Victor Chang, Position 5, both chose not to seek re-election.

Ruby is senior director of strategic partnership for Rogue Community Health. Ruby was previously CEO for ScienceWorks Hands-On Museum. His two teenage children attend Ashland High School.

Phillips is the owner of a small business — DomeGuys International — and has been a resident of Ashland since 1999. His two children attend Helman Elementary school. Phillips was a member of the district’s Rebalancing Committee in the 2022-23 school year.

— Morgan Rothborne