. >> reporter: nicki hudson is seeking re-election in columbus, ohio.atening letter over her support of masks and a diversity and influx program. what do you tell the kids when you get a letter relike that? >> you tell them don't live in fear and don't back down to bullies and make safe choices. so you don't go places alone. make sure that someone's with you. >> reporter: normally, these off year non-partisan school board elections are sleepy. the turnout is very low. but that was before the pandemic when school boards were still boring. >> you are stepping over your line. >> you don't need to breathe for me. >> let's take a recess. the board will take a recess. >> reporter: after protests and fury over mask mandates, vaccines, and aernt racism sir i can la, school board racing are the front lines of a natural culture war. candidates are facing heat normally reserved for big-time politics. rick, a local pastor in westerville school board member, ended his re-election bid weeks before election day. >> i feel like i have -- i feel like i have failed. i fe

me now to discuss, the chief executive officer of the national school board arson association, nicky hudsons school board. good evening. i'm so glad both of you could join us. parents always act that way? i have no idea but it seems just beyond. nicky, you personally have been on the receiving end of some of these threats. in the letter to biden, the nsda referenced that you got this mail. we are coming after you and all the members on the board of education. you are forcing them to wear masks for no reason and this world other than control and for what you will pay dearly -- for that, you will pay dearly. i mean, what is it like getting this letter as someone trying to take care of kids, help kids? >> it is deeply disturbing, don. you know, in part because of the fact that it's, you know, a threat against like you said individuals who are trying to make the decisions, decisions that are in the best interest of our students and public health. it's being directed at us who are members of the community would have children in our school district. and also, i mean, there were other things in a