ADVOCATES FOR FAITH & FREEDOM
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 7, 2025
CONTACT: Nicole Velasco
NVELASCO@FAITH-FREEDOM.COM
Murrieta, CA— In a decisive victory for the will of the people, Mercy Peña will retain her duly elected seat on the Greenfield School District Board of Trustees following the court's denial of a last-ditch effort to overturn her hard-earned grassroots victory. The ruling confirms what has been clear from the start - Ms. Peña’s victory reflects the true voice of the voters.
Ms. Peña, a dedicated community member and advocate for parental rights in education, overcame staggering odds to secure her seat with 1,012 votes against the incumbent's 1,008. Running without the financial backing or political machinery enjoyed by career politicians, Ms. Peña took her message directly to the people, engaging in a relentless door-to-door campaign.
However, after the election results were certified and Ms. Peña was sworn into office, political opponents sought to undo the will of the voters by contesting the results. Citing an administrative ballot error by the Kern County Elections Division, petitioners attempted to force a new election, despite failing to provide any evidence that the alleged improperly cast votes affected the outcome.
“This was never about fairness or integrity—it was about a school board trying to silence the voters and push their own agenda," said Robert Tyler, attorney for Ms. Peña. "The court saw through this blatant power grab and upheld the will of the people. Mercy Peña was elected to serve the community, not the board’s special interests, and that’s exactly what she will continue to do.”
Notably, the court found no evidence of misconduct by Ms. Peña or the Elections Division. The law is clear: in order to overturn an election, petitioners must demonstrate that the alleged illegal votes changed the outcome—something they utterly failed to do. Despite this, the Greenfield Union School District itself joined the challenge against Ms. Peña, raising serious concerns about conflicts of interest and the misuse of taxpayer resources to target an elected official.
"This was never about election integrity," said Mercy Peña. "This was about keeping a conservative voice off the school board. Thankfully, justice prevailed."
Ms. Peña remains committed to serving the families and students of Greenfield with integrity, transparency, and a firm commitment to upholding the values of parental rights and academic excellence. Her victory is not just a personal triumph, but a win for every voter who believes in fair elections and accountable governance.
As she takes her rightful place on the board, Ms. Peña invites the community to stay engaged, hold their elected officials accountable, and continue fighting for policies that put students and families first.
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