Newsome has run for council repeatedly and unsuccessfully over the years.

“If this don’t work out, I’m done,” he said, claiming this race could be his last one.

He said he circulated the petitions demanding a special election because “I thought that the people should pick who goes on the City Council instead of the City Council picking them.”

He said if he is elected he will be an advocate for low income and elderly people.

He said he would also represent Fort Dodge to the state government.

“I’m thinking about going to the state Capitol and telling them what the people of Fort Dodge want and need,” he said.

Newsome said he would also advocate for the construction of a new pedestrian bridge over the Des Moines River.

Newsome, of 322 Ave. F, is a Georgia native who was an Army paratrooper from 1961 to 1966.

He earned an associate degree from Iowa Central Community College.

He previously served on the city’s Cable Television Commission.

The council seat he is seeking is held by Councilman Andy Fritz, who was appointed to it in October when former Councilman Neven Conrad resigned after being named the magistrate for Humboldt County.

Other candidates in the race are Kyrie Borsay, Steven Hansen, Richard Higgins, Wayne Mason, Megan Secor and Jim Seward.

A primary election will be held Jan. 10 to narrow the field to two candidates.