(May 27, 2004) -- 7th district Councilwoman Tonia Reyes Uranga has told LBReport.com that she has endorsed 8th district Council challenger Rae Gabelich in the June 8 runoff race against incumbent Rob Webb.

"Rae has an endorsement card with my signature on it," Councilwoman Reyes Uranga confirmed to LBReport.com today.

The issue arose during a May 26 candidate forum in which Webb said he was endorsed by his 7th district Council colleague. Challenger Gabelich responded that she was happy to say that she has the endorsement of Councilwoman Reyes Uranga.

The exchange left some in the audience visibly bewildered. An article in the May 20 Signal-Tribune said Councilwoman Reyes Uranga endorsed Webb...a statement publisher Neena Strichart told LBReport.com was included in a release provided by Webb's campaign. As of May 26, Webb's campaign website claimed that Councilwoman Reyes Uranga had endorsed Webb.

When asked directly by LBReport.com at the May 26 whom Councilwoman Reyes Uranga has endorsed, Councilman Webb said, "Tonia Uranga has endorsed me and I've got it on my literature."

In confirming that she has endorsed Ms. Gabelich, Councilwoman Reyes Uranga joins former 8th district Councilman (now LBCC Bd of Trustees president) Jeff Kellogg, former Council challenger Terry Jensen as well as the LB Police Officers Association in backing the the runoff bid of LBHUSH2 founder Gabelich.

Among incumbent Webb's endorsers are LB Mayor Beverly O'Neill, Councilmembers Jackie Kell and Val Lerch, the LB Firefighters Association and the LB Area Chamber of Commerce.