Schipske Thanks Voters and Volunteers for Win

SCHIPSKE THANKS VOTERS AND VOLUNTEERS – PLEDGES TO WALK REMAINDER OF THE 5TH DISTRICT BEFORE JUNE RUN-OFF – CHALLENGES OPPONENT TO FIVE DEBATES BEFORE JUNE.

April 12, 2006 – 5th District candidate, Gerrie Schipske, today thanked the voters and her volunteers for giving her a resounding win yesterday in the primary election for Long Beach City Council. Schipske won 24.8% of the votes cast for candidates appearing on the ballot. Termed-out incumbent, Jackie Kell, received 25% , placing both Schipske and Kell in a run-off on June 6th.

“I want to thank the voters of the 5th District who took time out of their busy lives to vote in this city election,” said Schipske. “I am very appreciative to have received the votes of over 2000 and thank these voters for their confidence in my candidacy. To those who did not vote for me, I hope that in the next 6 weeks I can earn their support as I continue walking door-to-door with a goal of completing the entire 5th District by election day.”

Schipske began walking the 5th District last June and completed 75% of the District prior to the primary election.

“I also want to thank my volunteers who worked countless hours helping with mailers, walking, neighborhood meetings and phoning voters. These are the behind the scenes heroes and heroines who make a campaign and candidate successful.”

Schipske also gave kudos to the precinct workers who operated the voting polls and the Long Beach City Clerk, Larry Herrera who had overall responsibility for conducting the election.

“The precinct workers and the City Clerk need special recognition for their hard work and professionalism. The election process went smoothly thanks to their efforts.”

Concerned that the voters did not have many opportunities in the primary to hear the candidates for the 5th discuss the issues facing Long Beach, Gerrie Schipske called upon her opponent to meet and to debate five times before the June 6th election.

“ I challenge Jackie Kell to join me in five public debates between now and June 6th,” said Schipske. “Each of these debates should focus on one specific policy issue facing the 5th District and the City generally. I propose that the topics of the debates include: 1) Fiscal Accountability; 2) Public safety; 3) Infrastructure; 4) Environment and Parks; and 5) Citizen/Neighborhood Participation.”

Schipske also called upon the local news media to cover these debates and to allow both candidates to submit articles on each of these important issues so that the voters can be informed about the candidates’ positions.

“We owe it to the voters to engage in this type of discussion.”
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