Southwestern Wisconsin Schools board race pits man against mother-in-law

George Splinter said he hadn’t expected to campaign against his mother-in-law. Splinter and Sue Bennett are vying for the Area 3 seat on the Southwestern Wisconsin School District board of education. Splinter said he discovered his election opponent was his wife’s mother when he submitted his filing papers with the district.  “The secretary said, ‘You know you’re running against your mother-in-law,’” Splinter said. “It was awkward for a little while, but (Bennett) is a great mother-in-law. I have nothing bad to say about her.” There are two open seats on the board of education for the Hazel Green-based school district, one each in Area 1 and 3. Incumbent Larry Grant is the only declared candidate for the Area 1 seat. The Area 3 incumbent, Storey Dreessens, decided not to run for reelection. Dreessens’ neighbors, Bennett and Splinter, both filed for election Jan. 2nd. Bennett filed just ahead of her son-in-law.