Jessica Bessell became the first official candidate for Attleboro's Ward 3 school committee election Wednesday after the local elections department certified her papers. She will attempt to dethrone incumbent Chris O'Neil, who many people say will not run for a second term.
Bessell is a mother of two young boys, including one who is in kindergarten at Willett Elementary School. The other child will attend kindergarten at Willett next year.
"I have a personal interest in the school committee, my children," Bessell told Attleboro Patch in February when she pulled papers. "I have formed great relationships with parents, teachers and, most of all, the children through volunteering, PTO and being involved in the community. With this background, I want to run for the Ward 3 seat to represent everybody's best interests. I know I would be a great candidate for the position as I am dedicated to our schools."
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O'Neil and local attorney Stephen K. Withers, Jr. have pulled papers for the Ward 3 contest, but neither has returned them as of Wednesday. Various sources say O'Neil has decided not to run for the seat. He did not respond to a request for comment earlier this month from Patch.
The deadline to get on the ballot for the fall election is July 30.
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