'Mr.D' leads in early Marysville Joint Unified returns

Anthony "Mr. D" Dannible, dubbed the phantom candidate because of his low-key campaign, led incumbent Margie Markle by only 31 votes, according to incomplete returns in the race for Marysvile Joint Unified School District trustee.

Dannible, 61, whom Markle has never met, traveled to the East Coast in September and said he stayed for about a month because of family-related matters. Trustee Jim Flurry said Dannible was known as the "phantom candidate" because he was so rarely seen.

A campaign forum at the Yuba County Government Center didn't produce Dannible, who later said that "I'm not really the kind of guy who enjoys a lot of fanfare."

"I'm a pretty quiet guy," he said.

Dannible had challenged Markle in 2008.

Markle, the lone incumbent among the four trustees whose terms end in 2012 to face a challenger, had led after absentee ballots were counted.

"I hope it holds," Markle had said of her lead earlier in the day before Dannible surged in front.

"I hope I'll be given another four years," she said.

Final results in Yuba County were not available at 12:45 a.m. today.

Flurry, Bernie Rechs and Glen Harris faced no opposition in Tuesday's election.

Flurry said he doesn't know why no candidates emerged to challenge the three.

"I hope it's because they think we're going a good job," Flurry said.

CONTACT Ryan McCarthy at rmccarthy@appealdemocrat.com or 749-4780. Find him on Facebook at /ADrmccarthy or on Twitter at @ADrmccarthy.