A few weeks ago I highlighted the results of some local teacher union elections I thought worthy of note. Since then, a few more have occurred that fall into the realm of the unusual.

That communiqué mentioned the election for president of the Methuen Education Association, the results of which were thrown out and a revote held for irregularities after challenger Ann DiBenedetto unseated incumbent Donna Gogas. A revote was held, and DiBenedetto won again, this time by an increased margin.

The Fresno Teachers Association held a presidential election last month, with Eva Ruiz outpolling her nearest challenger, Mai Summer Vue, by almost 2-to-1. But Ruiz came up nine votes short of a majority, forcing a runoff.

But in a shocking reversal of fortune, Vue won the run-off handily – 491 to 440. Now Ruiz is calling for Vue to step down and is threatening to sue her for defaming Ruiz on campaign fliers. Whatever Vue did, it was certainly effective. She managed to more than triple her vote count in a month.

Finally, there was a unique incident in a Canadian teachers’ union election, when Clint Johnston of the Chilliwack Teachers Association was elected president from the floor of the union’s annual convention. The sitting vice president had been unopposed until the day of the convention. Most teachers’ unions in the U.S. have nomination deadlines for office, precluding any similar maneuvers.