BAY MINETTE — Joe Somers, a Daphne resident for 23 years, recently declared candidacy for the District 2 seat on the Baldwin County School Board. Frank Trione, current member of the board, will not run and is endorsing Somers, according to a press release. “The public schools transform students into successful adults,” Somers said. “To achieve this we need to reduce the dropout rate.” Somers said he donated computers to Baldwin County Schools and mentors students in Key Clubs. He said he is active in the Kiwanis Club of Daphne-Spanish Fort, and the United Methodist Church. His wife, Lisa, taught special education in public schools for 15 years, and their children graduated from the public school system. With degrees in engineering and in business, Somers has managed large projects. He said he looks forward to cooperating with the Baldwin County School Board to provide the best schools, teachers and tools needed to transform all students into effective citizens. “Working on the Baldwin County School Board will be my first and only priority,” Somers said.