Stay Curious. Stay Connected.
MailNewsletters♡Donate Now
Sign up
*Password must be at least 8 characters and contain one uppercase letter, one lowercase letter, one number and one symbol.
Already have an account?
By submitting, you consent that you are at least 18 years of age and to receive information about MPR's or APMG entities' programs and offerings. The personally identifying information you provide will not be sold, shared, or used for purposes other than to communicate with you about MPR, APMG entities, and its sponsors. You may opt-out at any time clicking the unsubscribe link at the bottom of any email communication. View our Privacy Policy.
Sign in to your profile
Forgot Password?
New to MPR News?
Welcome back
to news
for you
Reset Password

Enter the username on file and we'll send you a code to reset your password.

Still require assistance or not sure what your User Name is?
Welcome back
to news
for you
Email Verification

A verification code has been emailed to

Still awaiting the code?
Election 2024
Melissa Olson

From class president to school board, one Minnesotan reflects on her journey to office

A mom with her two kids
Linsey McMurrin is a parent with two children in the Walker Hackensack Akeley School District, son Isaias, age 13 and son Tobias, 8.
Courtesy photo

Go Deeper.

Create an account or log in to save stories.

Like this?

Thanks for liking this story! We have added it to a list of your favorite stories.

Linsey McMurrin ran for school board in her local community because she felt it was time to “step up” to fill a leadership position within her community. 

McMurrin was the top vote-getter in a field of eight candidates who ran for the Walker Hackensack Akeley School Board, a rural school district located in north central Minnesota.  

She said she was inspired to run for school board when she moderated a school board candidate forum more than twenty years ago as a senior in high school serving as president of student council.  

“I didn’t feel like the answers I heard necessarily represented the issued that affect my community,” McMurrin said.

As results of the 2024 election came in on Wednesday, she says her reaction to her own race was mixed. She had hoped for a different outcome in the presidential election. 

“It’s bittersweet that I was able to win my race. I am not sure if I am even able to acknowledge that yet today.” said McMurrin. 

McMurrin, who lives in Walker, is a citizen of the Leech Lake Band of Ojibwe. Part of the WHA school district is located within the boundaries of the Leech Lake reservation. According to McMurrin, Indigenous students have traditionally made up as much as a third of the district’s students. 

McMurrin’s two sons attend school in the district. Her oldest is in the 8th grade, her younger student is a 3rd grader. In addition to her own children, McMurrin says her mother has been a big part of the reason she chose to run for school board.

Her mom Laura worked for the district for 28 years, first as a cook and later as a paraprofessional. 

“She’s always been an inspiration to me,” McMurrin said.

McMurrin is not the first Indigenous person to be elected to the WHA School Board. Another Leech Lake citizen, Vicki White, has served on the board for more than two decades. A veteran of the WHA school board, White was selected as a member of the All-State School Board last year. White ran for the board again this year but was not reelected. McMurrin said she and White had a long conversation Wednesday morning. 

McMurrin said she wants people across the district to know she is there to listen. 

“School board is a non-partisan position, and we need to ensure our whole community feels represented and heard,” she said.

Barbara Sherman, Luke Skywalker McGregor and Michael Anderson were also elected to the WHA board. School board members serve a four-year term.