Long Beach Community College Board of Trustees candidate Herlinda Chico hosted a virtual election night party Tuesday at 8 p.m.
Herlinda Chico competed against Lee Loveridge and Richard “Dick” Gaylord.
At the time of publishing, Chico is in the lead against her rivals with 41.55 percent, which is 16,414 votes.
“The board of trustees is an elective body. So very similar to school board members. Kind of like your city council members, they are elected to represent your area,” Chico said.
“There are five board members that represent the different districts, that include Long Beach, Lakewood, and Catalina Island. And that’s why I had two of the Avalon city council members from Catalina Island come here,” she said.
At around 8:10, Chico welcomed her first guest speaker, Mayor Robert Garcia, to speak on behalf of Chico’s campaign.
Garcia said, “I know that we’re all probably just adapting to this new world of certain parties. We’re all of course, very anxious about tonight, watching all the results, not just locally but nationally. Long Beach City College is so important to all of us. We know that your experience, working within the college, within the county, is just exactly what the college needs and the board needs.”
After Garcia, Senator Lena Gonzalez had a few words to say as well.
Gonzalez said, “I think that it is so important that so many women in Long Beach have stepped up in a time of crisis when college students are hurting right now, people are unemployed in unprecedented numbers, people feel they don’t have healthcare access. You have been the one that has stepped up, and I just want to thank you so much for being able to step up and represent the East side of Long Beach.”
LBUSD board member, Megan Kerr said, “It’s great to turn our attention to local elections tonight. We know Herlinda has worked really hard for our community. We look forward to the good news that will come out of L.A. County, hopefully very shortly. This district chose the absolutely right person to be a trustee on a college board. There is a great amount of care and trust needed to ensure that students in every level have great advocates for people who care deeply about what they need, and Herlinda is exactly that.”
Keir Jones is a council member for Signal Hill who has been working with Chico for a long time. He mentioned how Chico is a great leader and trusts her motives to be positive for the city.
“When we think of people that we want to see in leadership roles in our city, the next generation, we really need more people like her to step up and represent. I know as a trustee, she will do the right thing for our students, and for the residents of Signal Hill, I know she’ll be there,” Jones said.
Shortly after, Avalon council member Michael Ponce spoke about how proud he was of the direction that Chico’s campaign is heading. “Looking forward to what you can do for us, we are so proud of you. Let’s do this,” said Ponce.
LBUSD board member Juan Benitez elaborated on how Chico will help the community.
Benitez said, “I’m looking forward to Herlinda becoming a trustee. I am so happy to be able to support her, and know that she’s going to be a great trustee. From everything; from career to ed, to adult ed, to our collaboration with the Long Beach Promise, with our respective school systems, I think Herlinda represents everything of the best what it means to be community-grounded, and she’s going to bring her vast experience with her to the city college.”
Chico then began to explain her journey towards making good changes for the community, her experience working in public service, and acknowledged many of her most loyal supporters.
“This has been quite the journey and it’s been over-bluff at times. We started this campaign strong, and then a global pandemic took place, and just a lot of uncertainty. As a public servant, I immediately prioritized the community. The community really needed help, and so that was my focus for quite some time,” Chico said. “I’ve been working in public service for over twenty years, so I developed a lot of relationships over those two decades.”
After Chico wrapped up her speech, many guests began to inquire about Rex Richardson’s absence.
Richardson is a Long Beach council member and one of Chico’s closest supporters, so it was unexpected for Richardson to be missing. He was to speak on the importance of the election, but wasn’t available at the time.
Instead, someone announced that results were in: Chico was in the lead at 44 percent. This pivotal moment may have been the reason why the party ended so soon.
Richardson then appeared, and shared his appreciation for Chico and congratulated her on her campaign.
Richardson said, “Herlinda has a great heart. She does so much for people, she does so much for me. We are incredibly happy to see you finally in there.”
At around 8:30, Chico tried to conclude the party with her last presentation, a speech of gratitude towards her friends, coworkers, and family that supported her and her campaign.
Shortly after, council member Lisa Lavelle chimed in with her own speech.
Lavelle said, “We’re just trying to move ahead and get more connected, so thankful for everything you have done for us. Let’s hope for a good, good night.”
Mayor Garcia, back to the meeting at the last minute, decided to pitch in with a final note.
“Looking at all the numbers and it’s looking very, very likely that you are the next college board member. I think you’re at about a seven-point lead right now, but it’s looking like it’s a very good night for you.”
The meeting ended at 8:37. Chico said results would be updated on their Facebook page.