Update: Edstrom Thanks Voters For Re-Election to Roseville School Board

The District 623 School Board will have two new members as a result of Tuesday’s election. 

Newcomers Kaying Thao and Erin Azer topped the list of candidates for three positions on the board.  Chairwoman Lisa Edstrom was re-elected, while Board Clerk Tom Ring was defeated.  He narrowly missed coming in fourth.

Edstrom, in comments to Roseville Patch, said, "I want to thank the voters of the Roseville District for their kind support. I welcome and congratulate our new board members Erin Azer and Kaying Thao and look forward to working with them.

"I want to extend my deepest thanks to my colleague Tom Ring for his service to the community and the great energy and spirit he brought to the campaign," Edstrom added.

Unoffical totals from the Ramsey County Elections Web page, with 17 of 17 precincts reporting, list Thao as the top vote-getter, with 2,220 votes, or 21.48 percent of the total 10,334 cast. Azer received 2,175 votes, or 21.05 percent.  Edstrom received 1,788 votes, or 17.30 percent.

Ring, who has served on the board since 2004, received 1,468 votes, four votes fewer than Mike Boguszewski, who came in fourth with 1,472 votes. Christopher Heinze finished sixth, with 1,160 votes.

“I’m still in shock, I don’t believe this,” said Thao, a graduate student who was seeking her first elective office. “I’m going to do everything I can to empower teachers and engage our community so we can educate all our children.”

“I’m humbled to be elected and excited to be serving on the board,” said Azer, a civic activist and former teacher.