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Tuesday's election saw three new candidates join the Kenai Peninsula Borough School District Board of Education.

In District 3-Nikiski, Joe Arness won with 55.59 percent of the vote. Arness' opponent, Mike Peek took 43.93 percent of the vote.

Penny Vadla won the District 4-Soldotna seat with 49 percent. Two other candidates, Ed Oberts and Rob Lewis, each carrying 14.59 percent and 36.24 percent of the vote respectfully, also contested the seat.

Finally, Bill Holt carried District 7-Kasilof with 66.59 percent, while his opponent, Mark Osterman, received 32.73 percent of the vote.

Vadla spoke exuberantly of her victory Tuesday night.

"I'm excited to see what people want us to do and I look forward to visiting as many schools in the district as I can," Vadla said.

Vadla also commented on the vacuum left behind by several long-term board members.

"It's a huge change because there will be four new members, but we have an intelligent base that preceded us and we can tap into them," she said.

In addition to the three seats up for election, board member Bill Hatch, representing Kenai, is resigning. The board will appoint a cadidate to fill the remainder of his term.

Lewis offered his congratulations to Vadla and said he believed she would do well.

"Just looking at the whole election I'm glad people had a choice," Lewis said. "Too often down here you see people running uncontested and it's important to have choice."

Lewis wasn't sure what his future involvement might be, but said that running for an office again wasn't out of the question.

Oberts could not be reached Tuesday night for comment.

Holt said he was glad the hard work of campaigning had paid off.

"There's an awful lot of work to do but we've got a great district and great kids, I'm excited to start participating," he said.

He also spoke to the addition of several green members.

"There's a lot of big shoes to fill," Holt said, adding, "We'll be tentative at first, but then we can get into it."

Holt's opponent, Osterman, said, "I'm just thankful to have had the opportunity to have run for an office and to know what the will of the people is."

He said he planned to stay involved with the district.

"Bill is a kind person, he'll want to listen to the voice of people. I'm not done with my concerns being heard," Osterman said.

Arness could not be reached for comment Tuesday night. His opponent, Peek, said, "I didn't win the seat but I'll stay involved with the kids and maybe even try again."

Dante Petri can be reached at dante.petri@peninsulaclarion.com or 335-1238.