| I was born in San Pedro Sula, Honduras in 1975. At the age of 7, I moved with my family to Brooklyn, NY. Brooklyn was rough back then- drugs and crime, an ongoing education and economic crisis, and ZERO public trust in our government. Yet, I overcame those struggles and learned some valuable lessons to pursue a better life. After high school, I worked odd jobs as I was training to be an auto technician but felt this calling to give back to a country and nation that had given so much to my family and to me. I answered that call and joined the world’s most powerful naval force on April 8, 1996. I served my country proudly all over the world. I joined challenging deployments in the Persian Gulf during Enduring Freedom and Iraqi Freedom, encountering and deterring Somalian Pirates, protecting the sea lanes in the 5th fleet area, and serving in other classified missions abroad. I retired in 2016 after 20 years of naval service. I earned numerous military awards and decorations for my valiant and dedicated service. I am forever grateful for the opportunity to serve the people of the United States and to defend our valuable freedoms this great country continues to provide to its people. But my call to serve is not done yet. District 4 deserves a representative who is going to be rooted in the America First agenda unapologetically. Someone who will continue to build on the many policies President Trump laid the groundwork for. I am that America First Conservative and look forward to earning your support and vote over the next few months! | ||
By Erin Skipper- Erin Skipper for School Board My Clay County roots run deep with both of my parents being long time Clay County residents. My mom, Sheri Benton, has spent more than 34 years teaching in the Clay County Schools. This gave me a first hand perspective of the struggles teachers face everyday, raising a family and grading papers at night. My father, Harry Benton, ran a small business and worked throughout Clay County. As a family we were not wealthy, but we were loved. I was blessed to be born and raised in Clay County and have many wonderful memories of my childhood. While growing up, I attended various schools throughout Clay County and graduated from Middleburg High School. After graduating from high school, I married my “blue eyed” high school sweetheart, Joshua Skipper. Shortly after being married, Joshua enlisted in the U.S. Navy. While serving his Country, I was able to fulfill my life long dream of being a Nurse. I attended and graduated with honors from Oklahom...