Guma calls it quits

After a newcomer’s win, a dead heat between two school board incumbents and a disputed absentee ballot, the Long Beach Board of Education election finally sorted itself out at Tuesday’s meeting: incumbent Trustee Gina Guma withdrew, handing the second contested board seat to fellow incumbent Darlene Tangney.

On May 16, school officials said that the race for the second seat was too close to call: According to the final vote count, incumbents Guma and Tangney — who campaigned as a team — finished behind Stewart Mininsky’s 1,691 votes with 1,618 each, a tie. After three recounts, the district consulted with its attorneys on how to resolve the impasse.

One option under discussion was a special election between the two incumbents. But at Tuesday’s meeting, Guma read from a statement explaining her decision to withdraw from the election, which she did by way of a letter submitted to district clerk Carole Butler.

“No one could have envisioned such an unusual outcome in this past election, but both Mrs. Tangney and I knew immediately that we would not pursue a head-to-head race between good friends, nor would we want to incur any unnecessary cost to the taxpayer for another election,” Guma said. “I’ve had the distinct honor of serving three terms as a school board member … and it has been one of the most fulfilling and gratifying opportunities in my life, and for that reason, nothing would make me happier than to afford Mrs. Tangney that same opportunity.”

With tears in her eyes, Tangney listened as her friend continued. “I know that she will continue to serve you well, and she has proven that to the community through her dedication and commitment throughout the years and as a school board trustee,” Guma said. “I have been and always will be a friend to the Long Beach public schools and have been honored to represent the children and residents as a board member in these past several years.”