Aubrey Miller surprised many people, including friends and family, when he came from behind to lead his opponents in the race for Shelby County Board of Education, Place Two. Although he snagged more votes than his opponents, with 9,842 to Anne Glass’ 8,411 and Nicke Gaspers’ 2,840, he still didn’t have enough percentage points to avoid a run-off.

“I came here and thought I’d see you at the bottom of the list and I was gonna say ‘Aubrey, you fought a good fight,'” said Moseley Johnson, slapping Miller’s back. “But you surprised us all.”

Miller didn’t start campaigning until later than his opponents, but he believes his level-headed, businesslike approach is what set him apart.

“We need to create a differential between the business perspective and what’s needed in our schools,” Miller said. “I saw a need for a business-minded individual on the board, and I’d always been taught public service was a noble thing to do.”

Glass also expressed an interest in emphasizing the business-side of the Board of Education.

“I have extensive experience as a businesswoman and I love finding out the needs of the community on a personal, one-on-one level,” she said.

If elected, Glass has several long-term goals she hopes will improve the quality of service provided by the Board of Education to schools and taxpayers alike.

“I think we need to seek out un-tapped resources to ease the burden on the tax-payer while still providing critical funds that our schools need during these tough economic times,” she said.

Miller also expressed interest in finding a different way to get school funding.

“We need an alternate revenue stream, rather than taxes,” he said. “We also need to broaden the Education Foundation. It won’t solve everything, but it’ll give us a new way of looking at things.”

Miller’s favorite part about the election process was meeting new people from all over the county. He often got his family involved in the campaigning process by getting them to help put out signs and roll flyers, which his wife Beverly admits was not one of her favorite parts.

She was excited to see their hard work pay off in the end, however.

“For us to have come in so late and to have done so well; I feel very blessed,” she said.

Glass said she’s excited about the run-off.

“I love meeting new people—that’s the best part,” she said. “I’ve loved serving the people of the county and I hope I get a chance to serve them again.”

The run-off will be in mid-July.

Both candidates plan to get things together for their campaigns immediately. If elected, they both hope to put some of their ideas in motion as soon as possible.

“It’s not about changing something,” Miller said. “It’s about getting a great strategic plan and looking at problems and opportunities and seeing how we can work with what’s there.”