Fergus Falls Mayor Announces Run for County Commissioner Instead of Reelection in 2024

Fergus Falls, MN – Fergus Falls Mayor Ben Schierer has announced that he plans on running for Otter Tail County Commissioner in the November election.

This announcement comes following yesterday’s announcement that current County Commissioner Lee Rogness would not be seeking reelection in 2024.

In his announcement, Mayor Schierer said, “The recent announcement by Commissioner Lee Rogness is a loss for Fergus Falls. I want to thank Commissioner Rogness for his steady leadership and firm commitment to the people of Fergus Falls and Otter Tail County. I have always looked up to Lee as a fair, impartial, and level-headed advocate for Fergus Falls. Our community will miss his service.”

Schierer was first elected mayor in 2016, and won reelection in 2020.

He says that he intends to bring the same level of energy to the end of his term as he did when he was first elected; “I have always believed that new energy and fresh ideas are part of a healthy political process. That is why I have decided not to seek a third term as mayor of Fergus Falls. I intend to finish my current term with the same energy I started with eight years ago as I look to serve our community in a new capacity.”

During Schierer’s time as Mayor, the City has undertaken multiple projects with the intent on improving the community, including the Splashpad that will be opening downtown on May 30th.

Here is Mayor Schierer’s full announcement statement:

It has been a tremendous honor to have served as mayor of Fergus Falls over the past seven and a half years. Gaining the trust and confidence of your neighbors is something that I do not take lightly, and I am incredibly proud of the work we have done together. I have always believed that new energy and fresh ideas are part of a healthy political process. That is why I have decided not to seek a third term as mayor of Fergus Falls. I intend to finish my current term with the same energy I started with eight years ago as I look to serve our community in a new capacity.

The recent announcement by Commissioner Lee Rogness is a loss for Fergus Falls. I want to thank Commissioner Rogness for his steady leadership and firm commitment to the people of Fergus Falls and Otter Tail County. I have always looked up to Lee as a fair, impartial, and level-headed advocate for Fergus Falls. Our community will miss his service.

I am announcing today that I will stand as a candidate for county commissioner representing Fergus Falls. County government only works if we all work together. Fergus Falls may be the county seat, but it is, more importantly, part of a team. The services provided at the county level are vital to the well-being of our townships and cities. Public health and public safety, roads and infrastructure, housing and child care, and land use are critical functions affecting our everyday lives. I believe my experience as a husband and father, small business owner, and public official allows me to continue providing steady leadership and ensure that all our residents are represented and have a voice in delivering these essential services.

I have based my public service on two core beliefs- that none of us is as smart as all of us and that the world runs on relationships. I look forward to discussing my ideas and, more importantly, hearing your ideas as I seek to earn the confidence and support of our community in this new endeavor.

Respectfully,

Ben Schierer