Jane Timken, a Republican candidate for the U.S. Senate, is donating $1,000 each to 35 school board candidates across Ohio — including Anthony Buchmann in Boardman — who, like her, are opposed to face mask and COVID-19 vaccination mandates as well as the teaching of critical race theory in schools.

The money comes from Timken’s leadership political action committee and is in the process of going to various school board members in the final days before Tuesday’s election.

“As a mom, I am deeply concerned with teachers’ unions and the liberal left putting special interests ahead of children’s well-being,” said Timken, a former Ohio Republican Party chairwoman. “Moms and dads outraged over unconstitutional mask and vaccine mandates and critical race theory in our schools have led to a political awakening in our country, and I am proud to stand with them in this fight.”

There are no statewide mask or vaccine mandates though some individual school districts require masks be worn in indoor public areas.

Also, critical race theory — which, at the collegiate level, teaches the roles slavery, racism and discrimination have played in U.S. history and society as well as that people with racial biases can’t create unbiased laws — isn’t taught in public schools in Ohio, but is a hot-button issue among conservatives nationally. Two proposed Republican-backed bills in the Ohio General Assembly would prohibit such instruction.

In addition to contributions, Timken’s campaign has partnered with the school board candidates in field operations. Most of the money is going to challengers in school board races, according to Timken’s campaign.

Buchmann is the only nonincumbent running for three seats on the Boardman school board. The incumbents seeking re-election are Victoria Davis, John W. Fryda and John P. Landers.

Regarding face masks, Buchmann said he believes “in freedom of choice. If you want to wear a mask, wear one. I support that 100 percent.”

The Boardman school district requires masks. A group of parents filed a lawsuit against the school board and Superintendent Tim Saxton to remove the mandate.

Buchmann said he’s “not sold on the vaccine yet. Maybe in a year or two.” Also, he said he hasn’t been vaccinated and got COVID-19 a year ago. He had a “little sinus headache.” His wife, he said, got a worse case of it and his stepson got a mild case around the same time.

As for critical race theory, Buchmann said: “We should teach the good, the bad and the ugly of America” and “let people make the assessment for themselves.”

Buchmann, a commercial refrigeration technician and first-time candidate, raised $4,637 through Oct. 13 and received a $500 in-kind donation from the Mahoning County Republican Party for billboards.

Fryda raised $5,445 and Davis raised $3,375 through Oct. 13 while Landers raised $8,104. Landers is the only Democrat in the race though school board members don’t run with party affiliation.

While Fryda and Davis are Republicans, they haven’t received financial support from the county Republican Party nor are they included on lists of GOP candidates on the county party’s emails.

Timken is the only Republican candidate for the U.S. Senate race, which is up for election next year, to contribute money to anyone running for school board in Mahoning County.

dskolnick@vindy.com