Father of victim in West Liberty-Salem school shooting apparently wins board seat

The father of the student shot during the West Liberty-Salem school shooting is expected to serve on the school’s board after apparently winning a seat.

Ryan Cole, the father of Logan Cole, ran for the West Liberty-Salem school board seat as a write-in candidate. According to unofficial results by the Champaign County Board of Elections shows that more than 37% of voters cast a ballot for a write-in candidate.

It won’t be known for a more than a week whether all ballots cast were for Cole, but he took to social media Tuesday night to thank his supporters.

“Thank you to all those who voted for me today. Many of you worked hard to get my name out and this would not have been possible without your help. I am surprised and humbled by the vote count.” Cole said.”It will be a privilege to serve with the fine men who are currently on the school board and with the outstanding administration, teachers and staff that we have at WLS.”

“Again, thank you for your support and I will do my best to lend my skills and abilities in a way that best supports our district,” Cole said.

Cole is the father of Logan Cole, who was shot twice by Ely Serna during the high school shooting in January 2017.

The write-in selection came out first in the race, according to the unofficial results.

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