There will be no last minute campaigning from Cathy Truitt, candidate for the District 2 school board seat in Wake County. After an unsuccessful attempt to withdraw her request for a runoff against John Tedesco, Truitt announced she would accept the seat if elected.

But the controversial candidate said Monday she is finished with campaigning. She stayed in the race, she said, to ensure that the outcome of the election will be up to the citizens in her district.  Her withdrawal would have left open the possibility that the Wake County Board of Education would appoint a replacement to the position.

"My concern was whoever takes that seat next week, tomorrow, should be elected by the voters," said Truitt. "[They] should not be appointed by this [school] board, they should be elected by the voters. And it should be a legitimate election."

Truitt has been criticized by her opponent and her own Republican Party for the events of the last several weeks. Since her decision to withdraw from a runoff, she publicly endorsed her rival, John Tedesco. But after the State Board of Elections' decision to continue the runoff, she agreed to remain a candidate, leaving many to wonder why.

"I'm hearing all kinds of conspiracy theories and there's a political strategy going on," she said. "There's not been any conspiracy and there's been no secret maneuvering."

Truitt also clarified her stance on diversity, saying while she supports an end to forced busing, she believes the way to promote diversity is by offering families more choices throughout the school system, including high school career academies and expanded magnet school options.

"If you go strictly back to neighborhood schools, it means there won't be magnets left," she said. "There are other options, including not only maintaining and expanding magnets, relaxing the restrictions that are prohibiting many children from being able to get in them."

Tedesco and three newly-elected school board members are advocating for neighborhood, or community schools, saying the county is much more diverse than when Wake's policy on socioeconomic diversity was developed and that county oversight will provide for equal distribution of resources throughout the school system.

"These current policies are hurting these most vulnerable children the most," said Tedesco. "I'm hoping to build a bridge and open relationships into other communities to get them in that dialogue."

But local and state NAACP leaders disagree, saying the campaign for neighborhood schools could mark a return to segregation. Over the weekend, the NAACP hosted two "Get Out The Vote" rallies in Wake County, saying their goal is to make sure that everyone in District 2 has a voice in the election.

"District 2 is going to decide what happens in the Wake County Public Schools for the next several years," said Ron White, president of the South Central Wake NAACP. "We're trying to educate people and strengthen the idea that one vote will make a difference."

Truitt said a victory in Tuesday's election is an "improbability" for her. The important thing, she said, is that people exercise their right to vote and get involved.

"If he is elected, and I think probably he will be," she said. "Will I support him? Absolutely. Will I offer assistance in any way? Yes, and I hope all parents will do that very same thing."