Martin defeats Longacre for state school board District 7 seat

Democrat James Martin won 29,548 votes, or 60.3%, to defeat Republican Erin Longacre, who received 19,442 votes, or 39.7%, in the Utah State Board of Education District 7 race, according to unofficial results from Utah Lieutenant Governor's Office, Elections. All reporting units have reported, with 48,990 votes counted. Martin's 10,106-vote margin ends Longacre's tenure on the board representing a district that includes Cottonwood Heights, Sandy, Draper and Alta.

What was at stake

The Utah State Board of Education is a 15-member body that oversees public education in the state. Eight seats were on the ballot in 2026.

The key issues:

• School vouchers: Longacre called herself a proponent of school choice but said tax dollars should follow the state constitution's funding requirements for public education. Martin opposed using public funds for private schools, saying board members who advocate otherwise "violate their oath to serve public education," according to a Salt Lake Tribune voter guide.
• Sensitive materials law: Longacre supported the state's book-review process. Martin said three districts should not determine which books are available statewide and called the law a drain on state resources, according to the Tribune.
• Technology in schools: Both candidates supported Utah's bell-to-bell cellphone ban. Longacre said screen dependence was the biggest challenge facing public education. Martin pointed to demographic shifts and shrinking school enrollments as the top concern.

Martin's win gives a Democrat the seat previously held by a Republican appointee.

A little history

Gov. Spencer Cox appointed Longacre to the District 7 seat in July 2025 after former board member Molly Hart left to become state superintendent, as ABC4 reported in August 2025. Longacre had served as a substitute teacher for six years and was active in her children's school PTA, according to the Tribune. She previously ran for a Canyons School District seat in 2022 and lost.

Martin brought nearly three decades of public education experience to his campaign, having worked as a kindergarten teacher, principal, union representative and a Utah State Board of Education specialist, according to the Tribune. He also served as a Utah Education Association board member, KSL reported.

What's next

The results remain unofficial until the canvass is complete. County officials must finish the canvass by Nov. 17, and the state board of canvassers meets Nov. 23, according to Democracy Sentry's Utah election calendar.

Election results: Utah State Board of Education - District 7 (Utah General Election, 2026-11-03)

Source: Utah Lieutenant Governor's Office, Elections. Results current as of Nov. 3, 2026, 9:05 p.m. MST. Reporting: 1 of 1. Unofficial results; every reporting unit has reported.