. >> reporter: nikki hudson is seeking re-election in columbus, ohio. not long ago, she says that she received a threatening letter over her support of masks and a diversity and inclusion program. what do you tell the kids when you get a letter like 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 anti-racism curricula, school board race at the front lines of a natural culture war. candidates are facing heat normally reserved for big-time politics. >> i wanted to try to bring people together. >> reporter: rick, a local pastor in wester vail and a school board member, end

." >> reporter: nikki hudson is seeking re-election to the school board in suburban columbus, ohio.o she says she received a threatening letter over her support of masks and a diversity and inclusion program. what do you tell your kids when you get a letter like that? >> you tell them you don't live in fear. we don't back down to bullies. and we also make safe choices. so you don't go places alone. make sure that someone's with you. >> reporter: normally these off-year nonpartisan school board elections are sleepy. the turnout is very low. but that was before the pandemic when school boards were still boring. >> you're 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 anti-racism curricula, school board races are the front lines of a national culture war. candidates are facing heat normally reserved for big-time politics. >> i wanted to try and bring people together -- >> reporter: a local pastor and westerville school member, ended his school

also nikki hudson, a member of the worthington, ohio, school board. good evening. both of you could join us this evening. have parents always acted that way? i have no idea, but this just seems just beyond. nikki, you personally have been on the receiving end of some of these threats. in the letter to biden, the nsba referenced that you got this mail, and i quote here. we are coming after you and all the members on the board of education. you are forcing them to wear masks for no reason in this world other than control and for what you will -- for that you will pay dearly. i mean what is it like getting this letter as someone who's trying to take care of kids, help kids? >> it's 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 decisions, decisions that are in the best interest of our students and public health. it's being directed as us who are members of this community, who have children in our school district, and it also -- i mean there were other things in that