In a strange twist on the usual campaign story, a city council candidate says he tried his very best to get voters to elect his opponents.

Paul Herold, an information-technology worker, entered the race for a city council seat in a Twin City suburb, but soon thereafter he found a great job, and found he wouldn't have time to serve in office.

However, the news came after the deadline to exit the race had passed, so come the election, Herold's name would still be on the ballot.

So, Herold says, "I tried my best not to get any votes."

According to Canada's CNews, he wrote a letter to a local newspaper pleading for non-support. He even offered to drive friends and neighbors to the polls to vote for anyone but him. It did not work. He came in second in the three-way race, advancing to the November ballot against incumbent Katherine Kolb.

Now Herold explains, "Here are the only ways I can get off the ballot: A. I'd have to die; B. I'd have to move out of the district."

Sure, Herold could resign if he wins, but the Minnesotan says that would force the city into holding a special election, which would cost as much as $30,000. Something the poor candidate says he would never wish on his community.