RINCON — Lynn Anderson and Robert Grant aren’t coasting to the finish line of their race for the Effingham County Board of Education District 1 seat.

The candidates qualified for the July 24 runoff by emerging as the top vote-getters in a May 22 primary that also featured Nancy Floyd.

Grant, the incumbent, garnered 442 votes and Anderson was close behind with 420. Floyd, who announced before the election that health concerns would prevent her from serving on the board, tallied 159.

Expecting another tight battle, Anderson and Grant are urging their supporters to return to the polls.

“With the runoff being in July — and I think Robert feels the same way — it’s just such a hard time for people to get out and vote because they are going on vacation and doing other things” Anderson said. “I just hope they don’t forget.”

The Anderson-Grant race has been cordial one. A joint question-and-answer session at the Effingham County Chamber of Commerce on June 14 didn’t include a contentious word.

The forum featured about a dozen questions and can be viewed on the chamber’s Facebook page. It is also posted on the Effingham Herald’s Facebook page.

“I try to urge people to watch the debate and make up their own mind,” Grant said.

Grant has touted his experience as the reason to cast a ballot for him. The Junior Achievement development director has a degree in secondary education and is a former high school social studies teacher. He also served as Marlow Elementary School’s PTO president for seven years and was a founding board member of the Effingham YMCA.

“I’ve just been talking about what I’ve been talking about all along,” he said. “I think our school system is doing a great job and people should ask themselves who they would want representing them with the school administration when there is trouble and who they would represent them on a statewide scale when we go to Atlanta and see our legislators and people at the Department of Education.”

Anderson, a 49-year-old office manager for a vascular surgeon in Savannah, touted her eagerness to serve as her greatest asset.

“Like I’ve always said, I’m not a good speaker but my heart is in it,” she said. “I have a heart for kids and I want people to get out and vote, and realize how important it is get involved — not necessarily by running for office — but by voting.
“Get out and do your part.”