Seven months of diligent campaigning paid off for Courtney Watson last night, when voters gave her a solid win over her opponent, Barry Tevelow, in the race for the single open Howard County Board of Education seat.

"I'm very excited that the margin is what it is and it just goes to show that my message has gotten across to the electorate and they believe what I'm saying and what I want to do," Watson said.

"Now I'm looking forward to taking a couple weeks off and spending some time with my husband and children, regrouping and then coming back and working really hard to solve some of these issues with rest of the board."

Tevelow could not be reached for comment. Watson took two thirds of the vote.

Watson will take the place of vacating board chairman, Jane B. Schuchardt, who voted for Watson.

"I think she'll be good for us." Schuchardt said.

The county's school board is made up of five at-large elected members. Watson's tenure - recently changed from six years to four - will begin after a mid-December swearing-in.

The next board opening is not expected before 2004.