Crouse is challenging Councilman Cameron Nelson in Ward 2.

Higgins is challenging Councilwoman Megan Secor for an at-large seat.

Shannon Crouse

“I’ve always been interested in government, politics and how things work,” Crouse said.

Richard Higgins

“Everyone I talked to encouraged me to run,” she added.

Crouse said she decided to run for the Ward 2 seat because she cares deeply about the southern Fort Dodge neighborhood where she has lived most of her life. Ward 2 is the southern half of the city.

She said she wants to represent “regular, hard-working people.”

“My main priority would be to get the city to invest more in Ward 2,” she said. “In talking with people, that was a big concern. They feel like we get put on the back burner, and favor is given to the wealthier areas of Fort Dodge.”

The candidate lives at 1308 Ninth Ave. S. She is the office manager of the optometry practice of Dr. Terry Moehnke, who represents Ward 1 on the council. He is not running for re-election this year.

She graduated from Fort Dodge Senior High School, and earned a certificate in medical billing and coding from Iowa Central Community College. She has also taken classes at Des Moines Area Community College and the University of Northern Iowa in Cedar Falls.

Richard Higgins

Higgins ran in the Feb. 7 special election that Secor won to complete the unexpired term of former Councilman Neven Conrad. He led the petition drive that forced that election after the council appointed former Councilman Andy Fritz to the seat.

He has run unsuccessfully for council numerous times.

Higgins, of 2634 15th Ave. N., is retired after a nearly 60 year career in retailing.

He is a Fort Dodge native who graduated from Fort Dodge Senior High School. He is a Navy veteran.

Other candidates on the ballot so far include Jen Crimmins (Ward 1), Councilman Dave Flattery (Ward 3) and Councilman Kim Alstott (Ward 4).