Mon, Sep 18th, 2023 - 11:01pm
January 27, 2024 - 3:05pm | By Chris Larson
(West Fargo, ND) — Two West Fargo City Commissioners have announced they will not seek reelection in the next City Commission election.
Mark Simmons and Mandy George have confirmed to WDAY Radio that they will be leaving the West Fargo City Commission when their terms are up.
“It has been my absolute honor and privilege to be able to serve West Fargo as a city commissioner,” George said in a statement to WDAY Radio on Saturday. “It was a tough decision as to run again or not.”
George is the lone female commissioner in West Fargo, and was elected to her post in 2020. She said two reasons were behind her decision not to run — her family and a new position as a commercial airline pilot.
George has a 15-year-old daughter, and was married in May, which added a 10-year-old step daughter to her family.
“Although I have really enjoyed serving the city, it’s most important to me to spend my time at home focused on my family,” she said.
George said she hasn’t ruled out a potential run again in the future.
“If time and opportunity permitted, I would consider running again at some point in the future,” she said.
Simmons has served on the West Fargo City Commission since 2004. He has served under two mayors since that time, Rich Mattern from 2004 until 2018, and currently under Bernie Dardis.
He was last reelected in 2020, defeating Roben Anderson, who was elected in 2022 and is currently seated on the West Fargo City Commission.
"First I want to thank our citizens for supporting me the last 20 years. It has truly been an honor and privilege to serve," Simmons said in a statement to WDAY Radio on Saturday. "Even though I loved every minute of serving, I felt it was time to let new voices speak for the voters. I’ve seen a lot of good changes since first being elected to the city commission, and I see an even brighter future moving forward. From the bottom of my heart, thank you all very much."
