Plain Wins EG School Committee Special Election

EAST GREENWICH—Matt Plain has won a seat on the School Committee, winning by about a 2:1 margin in a Tuesday Special election, according to preliminary results from the state Board of Elections.

Plain, a Republican, won with 409 votes as compared to Democrat Amy Snyder’s 196. There were less than 20 mail in ballots, which will change the final number slightly when they are counted Wednesday.

Plain, a lawyer who represents several school districts, is a child of East Greenwich schools, graduating from EGHS in 1994, and was considered by many as the favorite to win the race in Republican-leaning East Greenwich.

Both candidates had the daunting task of launching campaigns and reaching voters in a compressed timeframe. The seat was vacated in late September after former member Clark Smith resigned and took a job out-of-state, leaving the candidates with just a few months and the last few pivotal weeks of the campaign bumping up against the holidays.

The campaign was marked with civility and zero controversy and Snyder on Tuesday night kept that refrain, saying that she was “really happy to have had this opportunity.”

“We live in a great town with very talented and passionate community members. I will continue to work on issues that I see as important for kids. I am certain that Matt Plain will be a great asset to the School Committee,” she said.

Plain said that he is thankful for everyone who voted and participated in the Democratic process.

“I’m honored to have the opportunity to serve our community. Also, I enjoyed getting to know Amy Snyder over the last couple of months. Her involvement has benefited, and will continue to benefit, our schools,” he said.

Photo Courtesy: Rhode Island Young Republicans via Twitter