RALEIGH — Republican activist Heather Losurdo announced Thursday night that she'll oppose Democrat Kevin Hill, the Wake County school board District 3 incumbent, in fall election.

The announcement by Losurdo, who is stepping down as president of the Northern Wake Republican Club, came during an evening meeting of the club. If she were to challenge Hill successfully, depending on the outcome of other races, Losurdo could become part of a five-vote Republican board majority that isn't dependent on the vote of sometimes maverick GOP member Debra Goldman.

"I'd like to put it that it would consolidate our majority," board member Chris Malone said, when asked if a Losurdo victory would "Goldman-proof" the majority.

Goldman, one of the five Republican members on the nine-member school board, was not invited to the gathering, which drew more than 100 people.

Losurdo, an Air Force veteran, said she was firmly aligned with the four incumbents who endorsed her candidacy.

"You've inspired me so much that I've decided to roll up my sleeves and run for school board District 3," Losurdo said, referring to the four Republican board members in attendance. "I make a firm commitment for the future of all of you."

Losurdo won rousing applause from the crowd.

School board members John Tedesco and Deborah Prickett spoke before Losurdo's introduction. Tedesco ripped into local and state Democrats' oversight of public schools to loud applause.

And Prickett, stressing the four members' solidarity on issues of community schools, vowed never to give up.

thomas.goldsmith@newsobserver.com or 919-829-8929