Elk River school board candidate Anthony (Tony) Walter did what he could to not win Tuesday's election.
He didn't campaign. He didn't write letters. He didn't appear at candidates' forums. About three weeks ago, the Elk River Star News ran a letter from him stating that he had decided to withdraw from the race.
It wasn't that he didn't take the job seriously; he said concerns over his wife's health as well as his full slate of community activities had convinced him that he wouldn't have time for the job.
The problem was that Walter, who filed to run in June, changed his mind too late to take his name off the ballot.
Just over a week ago, Walter told a Star Tribune reporter that he would probably resign if elected.
Tuesday night, Walter was elected. He garnered 7,196 votes to place second in a four-candidate field for two at-large board seats.
Walter didn't even know he'd been elected until he showed up for work the next morning at Vision of Elk River, the company the district contracts with for bus service and which he co-manages.
"I was very shocked," Walter said. "Because I didn't put up one sign, I didn't write one letter. ... In fact, the school district said they believe it's a first that somebody won without having a sign up, or going to the meetings, or anything."
Since then, and after talking it over with his wife and parents, Walter's had a change of heart; he's decided to serve his four-year term. For one thing, he said, his wife's health has improved. For another, it's hard to ignore the wishes of more than 7,000 fellow community members.
"I don't want to disappoint the people," he said.
As for his powerful vote-getting ability, Walter noted that he's lived in Elk River ever since kindergarten.
Elk River school board Chairwoman Sue Farber said that, though she didn't know Walter, he came highly recommended as a candidate, and she was disappointed when he decided to withdraw. She said she has no problem with his change of heart, and is more than willing to welcome him to the school board ranks.
"I think Tony Walter must know a lot of people," she said. "I figure if he's going to not campaign and physically withdraw and get elected he must be a heck of a nice guy and have had an impact on a lot of people in a positive way. I'm anxious to meet him."
Norman Draper • 612-673-4547
