Bowman Drops Out of School Board Race

Saying her health must take priority, Gloria Bowman announced she has dropped out of the Simi Valley school board race.

Bowman, an after-school club director for the Rancho Simi Recreation and Park District, recently had pneumonia and is facing surgery for another health problem, she said.

“I cannot give my all to the school board,” Bowman said Monday. “Health is more important now.”

Bowman is the second candidate to withdraw from the race. About three weeks ago, Terrie Heinaman-Hamilton notified the district that she is dropping out.

Bowman, who informed the district of her decision last week, spent nearly two weeks at Simi Valley Adventist Hospital with pneumonia. She said she was released Sept. 24.

Her surgery is due to be scheduled in three to six weeks, with an expected eight weeks recovery period. It would be nearly impossible to wage a successful campaign, Bowman said, but she did not rule out a return to the campaign trail in a future race.

Because ballots have already been printed, both Bowman and Heinaman-Hamilton will be listed on the Nov. 7 ballot, district officials said.