Published by Leslie Slape in The Daily News on November 5, 2013

The Longview School Board will have two new members come January.

Challenger C.J. Nickerson had 69 percent of the vote in Tuesday night’s general election returns, handily defeating incumbent Jerry Stinger for position 1. In the other race, J.D. Rossetti easily outpolled fellow challenger Jim Mossman, garnering 56 percent of the vote.

Nickerson’s victory was widely considered inevitable after he easily beat Stinger in the August top-two primary, an outcome interpreted as voter hostility to a proposal to merge the high schools and middle schools.

“I committed to work hard in this campaign,” Nickerson told his cheering supporters at a thank-you event at the McClelland Arts Center. “I will continue to work hard on the school board.”

Stinger, 51, said he has no regrets and he’s glad they both ran a clean campaign. He’s said he’s honored to have served on the board since 2008.

“I love this community and have done my best over the last five years,” he said. “I’m proud of what was accomplished over that time. I wish Mr. Nickerson the best. We both wish our kids, first and foremost, to have best education they can.”

Nickerson, 76, entered the campaign after attending a meeting of the facilities planning committee, which was asked to develop a long-term plan for school buildings and ultimately recommended merging schools. Nickerson said he immediately felt skeptical about the data provided to the committee, and his interest led him to oppose Stinger.

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“I’ve run a lot of campaigns,” said Nickerson’s campaign chairwoman, Jo Brewer. “It’s really easy when you have an issue the community cares deeply about — that’s our kids. And it’s easy when you have a candidate like C.J. who cares about our kids. And it’s really easy when you’ve got a boatload of volunteers.”

At least 60 people, including children, were gathered at the MAC for a thank-you party paid for personally by Nickerson and his wife, Sue Nickerson.

“This was a really well-run campaign,” said Ramona Leber, Nickerson’s campaign treasurer. “It was well-planned, with lots of volunteers, lots of engagement and lots of interested people.”

Nickerson was jovial and relaxed while waiting for the election results, poking fun at himself as a sign-waver and thanking 13-year-old supporter Spencer Boudreau for immortalizing him as a Halloween costume.

Spencer trick-or-treated in a bright yellow Nickerson shirt, a Nickerson campaign button, and white hair.

“I’m in a category with Batman, Spider-Man, witches and goblins,” Nickerson said, then gave Spencer his Notre Dame cap as a thank-you.

Position 2: Rossetti defeats Mossman

In position 2, J.D. Rossetti took 56 percent of the vote, defeating Jim Mossman, who had 44 percent. They were vying for the seat held by James Campbell, who was knocked out in the August primary.

“It’s looking good,” Rossetti said by phone from his home. “I’m very excited, definitely. I’m very overwhelmed by the support of the community. I sincerely appreciate everyone’s input, and now I’m ready to get to work. I look forward to serving on the Longview School Board.”

Rossetti, 31, opposes a the massive merger plan of the citizens committee, but is open to smaller-scale, incremental changes to adapt to shrinking enrollment.

Mossman, 71, thanked the people who supported his “simple but honest message that all children are scholars and we have an obligation to provide them the best educational opportunities this community can afford.”

He said it had been “a long and exciting journey, but all good things must come to an end.”