Long Beach’s District 1 school board race has tightened into a two-person showdown that will be settled in the June 2 primary, with no second chance for voters in November. Incumbent Maria Isabel López is facing retired district teacher Deborah L. Betance, and what is usually a low-key trustee contest has veered into unusually personal territory. On the line are a roughly $70 million budget shortfall, recent legal controversy touching both campaigns and the board’s influence over a looming leadership change at district headquarters.
Who’s on the ballot
The Los Angeles County Registrar’s finalized candidate list confirms that only Maria Isabel López and Deborah L. Betance will appear on the District 1 ballot, according to the LA County Registrar. With just two contenders, the June 2 primary will decide the winner outright, without a later runoff, as reported by LAist.
Incumbent under scrutiny
Maria Isabel López currently represents District 1 on the Long Beach Unified School District board and is a longtime…..