Right after winning the 5th Ward Albert Lea City Council seat Tuesday, Fountain Lake Sportsman’s Club President Larry Anderson said he’s proud and honored to be one of the newest members of the council.

“I’m excited to be a part of making our world a better place one little bit at a time,” said Anderson, who will fill a seat being vacated by Councilor John Severtson in January.

Anderson’s initial opponent in the Ward 5 race, David Montaño Sr., withdrew from the race in the beginning of October — citing personal issues in his life as to the reason why he dropped out of the race. At the time he dropped out, Montaño said he did not have any plans to run for office in the future.

Because it was too late to take his name off the ballot, however, Montaño still received 238 votes, while Anderson received 665.

“It shows he had a good following,” Anderson said of Montaño. “I’m glad there were votes going both ways.”

At the time he announced his candidacy, Anderson said he decided to run for office after some people asked him to do so. He felt it was time in his life to run.

“I feel it’s important to do this, and I just feel that in my life it’s time to do this,” he said in June. “I want to get things done the correct way and for the best of everybody.”

As a 17-year employee of the Minnesota Department of Transportation — right now as an information technology specialist responsible for the computer systems at the MnDOT Owatonna District 6B Office — Anderson said he is thankful for what he’s learned during his campaign that will prepare him for office.

He said he appreciated the League of Women Voters and Albert Lea-Freeborn County Chamber of Commerce debates during the campaign season. He also thanked the city for letting the candidates come to the preliminary budget meetings. They were informational, and he learned a lot from them, he said.

“It’s something that when you take it on you want to make sure you’re making the right decisions,” Anderson said. He will work hard to stay informed.

He thanked his wife, family and friends for their encouragement and support during the campaign.

In addition to working with the Minnesota Department of Transportation, Anderson worked 11 years at Wilson Foods.

He was also named as a member of the Citizens Advisory Committee for the Shellrock River Watershed District four years ago.