Ary Wins Evansville School Board At-Large Seat

Conservative pastor Steve Ary won an at-large seat on the Evansville-Vanderburgh School Board after running as a Republican.

Updated on Nov. 4, 2026 in Elections

Bold flat-color editorial illustration of a simplified civic building facade and flagpole in deep red, cream, and slate grey. — Conservative pastor Steve Ary won an at-large Evansville-Vanderburgh School Board seat on Nov. 3, defeating incumbents Melissa Moore and David Hollingsworth in the first election with party labels on ballots. AI Illustration. Upload story photo >

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Steve Ary, a conservative pastor, won an at-large seat on the Evansville-Vanderburgh School Board and was the top vote-getter in the race. Incumbents Melissa Moore and David Hollingsworth were defeated in the November 3 election.

Why it matters

The election was the first under a state-approved change that added party affiliation to school board ballots, letting candidates declare their party. The result reshapes the local board, with a newcomer and a longtime member also winning seats.

Steve Ary won the at-large seat as the top vote-getter, while incumbents Melissa Moore and David Hollingsworth lost their seats. The margins and full vote counts were not included in the available results.

The players

Steve Ary

A conservative pastor who declared himself a Republican and won an at-large seat on the Evansville-Vanderburgh School Board.

Evansville-Vanderburgh School Corporation (EVSC)

The public school district that governs schools in Evansville and Vanderburgh County and whose board election Ary won.

The details

Party affiliation was added to the ballot for school board races, and candidates could declare their party. Ary declared himself a Republican, and newcomer Lindsey Patterson and longtime member Mike Duckworth also won board seats.

• November 3, 2026: Evansville-Vanderburgh School Board election results, including Ary's at-large win.

Political Context

The state legislature's decision to add party affiliation to school board races marks a departure from the traditionally nonpartisan nature of local school elections. Opponents of partisan school races have argued that party labels can politicize education governance, a concern this result will likely renew.

Ary's seat gives Republican-affiliated leadership a voice on EVSC decisions affecting students and families in Evansville. Voters now see party labels on school board ballots, which can shape how they choose candidates.

The takeaway

Party labels on school board ballots now let voters see candidates' political affiliations at a local level. Checking those affiliations alongside a candidate's record can help voters understand how a board may approach future decisions.