Rider Drops from School Board Race

Another candidate has pulled out of this November's Edina School Board election, reducing the field to four.

Ben Rider, who was among six candidates to officially file for three open board seats last month, today confirmed he no longer intends to actively campaign for the position.

"I just decided now was not the time to run after all," Rider wrote in an email. "I got caught up in a new job and don't want to overload myself too much right now."

He may not be campaigning, but Rider's name will still appear on Nov. 8 ballots as he did not withdraw before an Aug. 18 deadline. Director of Community Edication Services Valeria Burke said his he is now considered "an inactive candidate."

Rider is the second candidate to drop out of the race following the filing deadline, with current board member days after filing for re-election.

Four candidates remain in the race, including , Leny Wallen-Friedman, Sarah Patzloff and incumbent Cathy Cella.