Career
He was appointed following the resignation of Peter Ujvagi, who resigned to take the position of Lucas County Administrator. While Ujvagi was initially expected to run for the Ohio Senate, he was hired as Lucas County Administrator. The appointment of Ujvagi set up what many thought was going to be a legislative shuffle, where Teresa Fedor would be appointed to Ujvagi"s seat, and Edna Brown then appointed to Fedor"s seat.
However, Toledo City Councilman Joe McNamara also sought the appointment to the Senate.
As a result, Fedor kept her seat, Brown hers, and Walter was appointed to a nine-month stint in Ujvagi"s seat. Following his time in the legislature, Walter retired.