What Ankeny School Board Candidates Had to Say After the Election

The election that will bring Ankeny a school board with a majority of new members had its fair share of controversy and contention, but many candidates took the high road by congratulating their fellow candidates or looking past the results.

Here is a sampling of comments made following the results of Tuesday's election:

Dustin Graber (newcomer)

Reality is setting in right now and all this hard work has finally paid off. I’ve had so many people who have supported and gathered around me that want change, that want to be listened to and are embarrassed with the way things were before. I knew I couldn’t let them down. They put their trust in me that I could make a difference for them. It was a lot of work but it has paid off.

To move the district forward, I will do the five things I’ve been talking about since this election started. These things came from talking to members of the community and Ankeny teachers. I will focus on student achievement. I will give the teachers back a voice so they know they’re part of the system, which will raise morale. Three, I will value every dollar of taxpayer money and spend wisely. Fourth, there will be better communication between the district and the community. Finally, and I have said from day one, I will support two high schools and the completion of Ankeny Centennial High School. I’ve never wavered and the community had my commitment on that.

As far as what made a difference in this election, the four challengers were running as independent thinkers. I want to congratulate them on their wins and I’m looking forward to working with them and seeing what this group can do.

Stephanie Jorgensen (newcomer)

I am very excited to be a part of such a wonderful community and am so glad they stepped up and voted for all four (challengers). I look forward to working with the entire board to make Ankeny the best it can be.

To move the district forward, I will give a voice back to the community, teachers, parents and kids. I will focus on what’s really needed for them to succeed. There will be two high schools. There were rumors (saying I didn’t support two high schools). Those rumors are false – they were a scare tactic. It’s a non-issue. I look forward to working within a community that will eventually have two high schools.

Congratulations to my fellow candidates who won tonight. I look forward to working with you.

Trent Murphy (incumbent)

I didn’t see this one coming. Thank you for all the people who worked hard on our campaign. That being said, this election still had the highest turnout we’ve probably ever had. It’s important people got involved, but unfortunately the message we had wasn’t the one that resonated within the community.

Congratulations to the new members. I look forward to seeing what the new leadership does. The community has high expectations of them and I’m sure they will live up to it. I want to say thank you for the 10 years I was allowed to serve and look forward to seeing the new direction in which this board moves the district.

Leslie Petersen (incumbent)

My reaction is one of disappointment; however, I am proud of what I accomplished and am leaving with my head held high.  The hard work is done and I am hopeful the newly elected will hold true to their word.

Andrew Martin (incumbent)

I am obviously disappointed in the results, but I am very proud of my accomplishments over the last seven years. We’ve had to make a lot of tough decisions, but I still believe for the long-term those decisions are the best for the community and will continue to benefit kids 30 to 50 years from now who will have no idea what happened here tonight.

I want to congratulate those that won and I will do everything in my power to make them successful. I want our community to succeed so I will do whatever I can to help with that.

I also want to thank my supporters. This is the third time I’ve run and I have seen more Ankeny people donate, debate and discuss than in any other district in the entire state. That says something of our level of commitment and I am proud of that. It’s time to bring the community together and move forward in doing what’s best for the community. I will do that in any way possible.

Newcomers Brad Huss and Mike Rooney, as well as incumbent Aaron Johnson, could not immediately be reached for comment.