Reich prevails in Wantagh BOE runoff

Posted

In a contest that was at times contentious and controversial, first-time candidate Laura Reich topped incumbent Trustee and Wantagh Board of Education President Peter Mountanos by a margin of 939-795 in the second-round runoff election for trustee on June 26.

With 927 votes each, the two tied for second place in the first round election on May 21. It was reportedly the first time an exact tie occurred in Wantagh elections.

As the two candidates expected, turnout was significantly lower in the second round.


Controversy centered on questions of Mountanos’ residency and his use of a New York City apartment for business purposes. Mountanos works in Manhattan as a software engineer. The issue remained unresolved as voters went to the polls.

Mountanos was first elected to the board a year after his graduation from Wantagh High School in 2012. He was re-elected in 2016.

Reich, an attorney and part-time accountant’s assistant, has lived in the district for 14 years.