WILLMAR -- Kandiyohi County Commissioner Richard Larson won re-election Tuesday to another four-year term on the Kandiyohi County Board of Commissioners, representing District 2.
Larson, 77, defeated challenger William Graves, 46, 1,735 to 1,372, according to unofficial results.
This was Graves' first attempt at seeking public office and the fourth time Larson has been elected.
"I'm happy with that," Larson said of the 363-vote margin of his win.
"I worked hard and I know he (Graves) did also. He was a formidable opponent. Both of us didn't do any mud slinging," said Larson.
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"I wish him luck in the future."
Graves, a Willmar commercial business developer and Dominos pizza franchise owner, said he enjoyed running for office and has no regrets about waging a campaign.
"It just goes to show you can run a clean race and come out as close as ever," he said
Although he didn't come out on top, Graves said he was pleased with how close he came to Larson, who he has always praised for doing a good job.
"Kandiyohi County is still in great hands," Graves said.
When asked if he would run again for County Board, Graves said he'd have to re-examine that question in four years. He said he'd likely seek office again. "I had a blast," he said, adding a candidate has to be "thick-skinned" to wage a campaign for public office.
Larson said one of the things he learned while campaigning this year was that the public isn't aware of exactly what a county commissioner does.
"We've got to do a lot of educating about the duties of the county commissioners," he said. It was the most asked question he got from constituents.
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He said he intends to speak at community groups to let people know about the different fraction the county is involved with.
Larson thanked the voters of District 2 for their support.
He said the county's work will be busy this next year.
"The plate is going to be pretty full with the economic downturn," he said. The county has to "be aware of what's going on" and "protect the taxpayers."
Larson said the biggest asset he brings to the job is experience, including 12 years as a county commissioner, 24 years as a Willmar city assessor and 16 years as a barber, "where a lot of politicking goes on."
District 2 includes all of Willmar Township, all of Ward 4 and precinct 2 and 3 of Ward 3 in Willmar.
