FARGO - Bridget Ertelt, a legal secretary with the Federal Public Defender's office, has announced her candidacy for the City Commission.

"Fargo's future is bright and it's a great time to be part of the conversation," she said in a news release Thursday, March 17. "I want to help secure a strong economic future for our city. I know we can achieve that by making fiscally responsible decisions that will provide for our community's growth."

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On her website, GoBridget.com, she "has always been interested in local politics and that interest has led to many different opportunities for volunteer and community outreach. She has been a grassroots activist for a number of different campaigns and local initiatives at the city, state, and national level."

According to her LinkedIn page and the North Dakota Republican Party's website, she's the party's chairwoman for District 11. That's an area between Main Avenue and Interstate 94 east of Interstate 29 now dominated by Democrats. She's also been a delegate to the Republican National Convention.

City Commission races are nonpartisan, but Ertelt is one of several candidates with connections to the major parties. Other Republicans in the race are School Board member Robin Nelson and former state Sen. Tony Grindberg. Running on the Democrats' side is Planning Commissioner Mara Brust.

Also running are community activist Joe Burgum; teacher and coach Mark Kuebler; Tammy Linn, a former City Council member in Prescott, Ariz.; and School Board member John Strand.

Two seats are open because Commissioner Mike Williams' term has expired and Commissioner Melissa Sobolik chose not to run.