Politics & Government

Surprise Democratic Challenger Says He Will Not Campaign

Milton Walden's name will still appear on the ballot in a primary election on Aug. 14, but the candidate says due to his "less than enthusiastic desire" to become a politician he's going to forego the campaign trail.

Milton Walden, an out-of-the-woodwork political candidate who , has decided he will not actively campaign for the position.

In a recent email to Eagan Patch, Walden said family and business concerns played a role in his decision.

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"My less than enthusiastic desire to become a politician combined with my already busy schedule, will not allow me to commit to the steps necessary to aggressively pursue winning the upcoming primary," Walden wrote. "The decision was made after analyzing my current schedule and understanding the direct affect it would have to my family by adding a campaign schedule."

Walden, a property inspector and Burnsville resident, decided to file as a Democrat for the District 51A House seat earlier this year after discovering that no other candidates had yet entered the local race. After learning that fellow Democrat Sandy Masin and Rep. Diane Anderson (R) had filed on the same day, Walden decided to withdraw from the race.

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But Walden accidentally missed the June 7 deadline to withdraw, which prompted an Aug. 14 primary election between he and Masin. Although Walden has decided to end his campaign, his name will still appear on a primary ballot in the district.

Masin said she is relieved to hear that Walden will not be campaigning. Still, she plans to continue doorknocking efforts in a lead-up to the primary election.

"Obviously, it should make my job easier, but I don't think you can ever take anything for granted," Masin said. "Whether he's actively campaigning or not, there is a primary and I have to be prepared for the primary."


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