Challenger Defeats Long Beach Councilman in Runoff
The founder of a group concerned about the potential expansion of Long Beach Airport soundly defeated Long Beach City Councilman Rob Webb in a runoff election Tuesday.
With all 13 precincts reporting, challenger Rae M. Gabelich received 61% of the votes to represent the City Council’s 8th District.
The race for that seat went to a runoff when Webb received 40% of the vote in the April primary.
A minimum of 50% plus one vote was required to avoid a runoff.
Gabelich’s group, LBHUSH2, contends that the impact of possible expansion of Long Beach Airport has not been adequately studied.
Gabelich had the support of the 900-member Police Officers Assn. The group backed two incumbents and a challenger, who won council seats in a primary marked by low voter turnout.
Webb was endorsed by Mayor Beverly O’Neill and former Gov. George Deukmejian.
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