{"biography":"## Current office and 2026 campaign\n\nMary Ellen Kustin is the Democratic candidate for an at-large seat on the Henderson County Board of Education in the November 3, 2026 general election. The race is the county's first partisan school board contest; Kustin and fellow Democrat Reid J. Barwick face Republican incumbents Shelia Dale and Alyssa Norman and Republican challenger Randy Beaver [1][2].\n\n## Background and education\n\nKustin was born and raised in Columbia, South Carolina, and now lives in Hendersonville with her husband, who works in the local school system, and their two children, who attend Henderson County Public Schools [3][6]. She holds a bachelor's degree in mathematics and master's degrees in sustainable development and conservation biology, and in public policy [4].\n\n## Career\n\nKustin has spent her career in the nonprofit sector, including as Director of Community Impact at the United Way of Henderson County [5]. She also tutors math and coaches youth sports [4].\n\n## Office history\n\nKustin first ran for the Henderson County Board of Education at-large seat in 2022 [3]. She ran again in 2024 [6]. She is running for the seat a third time in 2026 [1][2].\n\n## Sources\n[1] [Here's the final candidate list for 2026 elections - Hendersonville Lightning](https://www.hendersonvillelightning.com/four-seasons-politics/15729-elx-4.html)\n[2] [Candidates introduce themselves at Moms for America forum - Hendersonville Lightning](https://www.hendersonvillelightning.com/news/13548-candidates-introduce-themselves-at-moms-for-liberty-forum.html)\n[3] [VOTER GUIDE: School Board candidates - Hendersonville Lightning](https://www.hendersonvillelightning.com/news/12165-voter-guide-school-board-candidates.html)\n[4] [Mary Ellen Kustin platform & website | Henderson County Board of Education Member - branch.vote](https://www.branch.vote/races/2024-nc-general-election-nc-state-county-board-of-education-member-nc-county-henderson/candidates/mary-ellen-kustin)\n[5] [Mary Ellen Kustin | United Way of Henderson County](https://www.liveunitedhc.org/mary-ellen-kustin)\n[6] [Your Vote: Henderson County Voter Guide 2024 - Blue Ridge Public Radio](https://www.bpr.org/2024-10-17/your-vote-henderson-county-voter-guide-2024)","campaigns":[{"contest":"county_school_board","county":"henderson","county_count":1,"electiondate":"Tue, 03 Nov 2026 00:00:00 GMT","pgr":"general","state":"NC","title":"Henderson County Board Of Education"}],"cf_filings":[],"firstname":"Mary Ellen","fullname":"Mary Ellen Michelle Kustin","lastname":"Kustin","middlename":"Michelle","office_history":[{"campaigns":[{"contest":"county_school_board","contest_title":"Henderson County Board Of Education","county":"henderson","county_count":1,"electiondate":"2026-11-03","office_county":"henderson","office_key":"county_school_board","office_title":"County School Board Member","party":"DEM","pgr":"general","state":"NC"}],"county":"henderson","cycles":[{"general":{"contest":"county_school_board","contest_title":"Henderson County Board Of Education","county":"henderson","county_count":1,"electiondate":"2026-11-03","office_county":"henderson","office_key":"county_school_board","office_title":"County School Board Member","party":"DEM","pgr":"general","state":"NC"},"party":"DEM","primary":null,"term":null,"year":2026}],"office_key":"county_school_board","office_title":"County School Board Member","state":"NC","terms":[]}],"summary":"Mary Ellen Kustin is a Democratic candidate for the Henderson County School Board in North Carolina, running in both 2022 and 2024 elections.","terms":[],"token":"bf0dc765cd33e0a8"}