The Dilemma

During my campaign to be president of my association, the person I ran against was not pleased with the fact that I was running against her. She had wrongly assumed that hers would be an uncontested race and that she should have been a shoo-in to win. As a current co-president, one who had much more access to teachers at the various school sites in my District, she should have won for the sole reason that more people know her than they do me.

However, she not only lost to me, but lost by a pretty good margin. This loss occurred for a couple of reasons. First, the other co-president, Mary* was supporting my candidacy. This is important because Mary has been president of our association for a decade and has taught in our District for over 30 years. Many people trust what she has to say and the fact she wasn't endorsing her co-president was huge. Second, many teachers were dissatisfied with the performance of Anne* as co-president of our association. However, Anne is unwilling to admit to the second reason as any cause for her defeat. Rather, she has told numerous people that I only won because Mary went around bad-mouthing her during the campaign (which is explicitly untrue).

Since her defeat, Anne has blatantly given me the cold shoulder. At no time has she offered any sort of congratulations, either face to face or through e-mail. In fact, in two separate public forums, she completely ignored the results of the election and was asked point-blank by one of our members (the day after the election) if the election results were going to be discussed. She said "no." Sour grapes anyone?

Imagine my surprise this morning when I get an e-mail from her offering to chair a rather important committee in our association. So that is my dilemma. I've already e-mailed Mary to get her opinion and will also talk to the members of that committee to find out if anyone who is already on it is willing to step up to chair.

So, my dear readers, what would you do if you were me?

---

edited to add:
Of course, after posting this, I worried how I might come off as a sore winner. I hope that is not the case!

I have since talked to Mary, who pretty much had the same suggestion as Loonyhiker. Anne has been e-mailed with my response that I appreciate her offer and that when the time comes, I will keep her name under consideration.

At this point I think that this is the best I can do.

*All names have been changed to protect the innocent and not so innocent.