Incumbent James A. Keen Jr. was unseated from his spot on theLincoln County School Board Tuesday by Steve Rushing, a sheriff’sdepartment investigator.

Rushing, who stayed at the courthouse all night waiting for thefinal results, was overwhelmed by the support from the District 4community.

“I’m grateful for the voters, especially the ones who got outand supported me. I definitely want to thank them,” he said.

In his first political endeavor, Rushing got 682 votes, or70.09, percent from the four precincts making up the West Lincolndistrict.

Keen, who served one full term and three months as an appointedboard member, received 249 votes, making up 25.59 percent of thevotes in that race.

A couple hundred ballots from the Johnson Grove, Zetus andArlington precincts were awaiting a hand count early Wednesdaymorning, but the numbers were not expected to be enough to changethe unofficial results.

With Rushing’s probable election to the school board, he beganlooking toward the future of the school district.

“I’m excited about serving the people of Lincoln County. Themain thing is to make sure the bond issue gets under way to benefitthe schools,” he said. “The school system has really grown, and weneed to catch the facilities up with that growth.”

Rushing is involved in the school system on a regular basis withone of his children, Garrett, 8, enrolled in West LincolnAttendance Center.

“I have one in school and another one who will be soon, so Ihave an interest,” said Rushing, mentioning his second child,five-year-old Jayden.

Rushing, 29, has been involved in District 4 in other ways formany years. He is a 1991 graduate of West Lincoln and severalfamily members are teachers. His father, Versie, served as thedistrict’s superintendent of education during the 1980s. Rushinghas worked at the Lincoln County Sheriff’s Department for six and ahalf years. He is married to the former Cassandra King.

“Even though I already knew a lot of people in the area, Ireally enjoyed campaigning. It gave me a chance to get out and meetmore people in the district,” he said.