Kurt Schmidt and Parrell Grossman joined Mike Seminary and Jon Hunke in turning in their petitions with the intent of being elected to the Bismarck City Commission in June.

Grossman is making a second attempt at the city commission, having run two years ago but falling short as Connie Sprynczynatyk and Steve Schwab were elected. It is the first time Schmidt has attempted running for public office.

Schmidt is a native North Dakotan who grew up in the Flasher area. He joined the National Guard in high school and served in the military police during Desert Storm.

After returning, Schmidt completed his education at the University of Mary. He worked seven years for the North Dakota Highway Patrol, nine years for the state's judicial system and now is technology director at Capital Credit.

"I've always been interested in politics and have kind of watched it; now, I want to get involved," Schmidt said. "I think the current growth in Bismarck is phenomenal and is providing a lot of opportunities. I want to try and hold the line on property taxes."

Schmidt and his wife, Theresa, have three children, the oldest 14. Schmidt is the treasurer of the Bismarck Hockey Boosters and a member of the VFW and American Legion organizations.

Grossman has been a member of the Bismarck School Board for the past six years, but decided not to run for re-election but rather to run for the city commission.

He is the director of the attorney general's Consumer Protection and Antitrust Division.

"My broad experience with budget, legislative policy, and customer service issues has fully prepared me for the duties and responsibilities of the city commission,"Grossman said.

Grossman said he feels his six years on the school board have prepared him for the responsibilities of the city commission. The jurisdictions have many similarities, he said.

"Six years on the school board working with budget, construction and facility maintenance, salary negotiations, policy development, and state and local government and other organizations has provided me a solid base of experience in understanding local community needs and issues," Grossman said.

Issues that the city commission is faced with include property taxes, responsible spending, comprehensive economic development between all local government entities and business development organizations and a community growth plan involving the city commission, county commission and townships, Grossman said.

Two seats on the Bismarck City Commission are up for grabs as incumbents Sandi Tabor and Dave Jensen have indicated they will not seek re-election.

The filing deadline for candidates is 4 p.m. April 11.

(Reach reporter Gordon Weixel at 250-8255 or gordon.weixel@bismarcktribune.com.)