Though he was not one of the top two victors in the primary for Freeborn County District 3 commissioner earlier this month, Albert Lea City Council member John Severtson is continuing his quest to become the winning candidate for the county seat.

“To me if a person files and he’s got good intentions — everybody ought to be on the November ballot,” he said.

In the primary, only a small percentage of people actually vote, and it should be up to the bigger population of voters who come out to the general election, Severtson said.

If people agree with that philosophy, he’s encouraging them to write his name in on the ballot Nov. 4.

Incumbent Commissioner Jim Nelson and challenger David Shoff were the victors in the primary for the race and will have their names printed on the ballot.

Severtson pointed out that not even the presidential races are voted on by a primary election; they are decided by caucuses.

“So I don’t see why it’s necessary to have one for the local races,” he said.

When it comes to serving as the city councilor in the 5th Ward of Albert Lea, Severtson said he thinks he’s done a good job. His term is up at the end of 2008.

He also served on the Albert Lea City Council from 1985 to 1989.

In previous interviews with the Tribune, he said he wants to be a liaison between the City Council and the Freeborn County commissioners because he understands the needs of the working relationship between both government entities.

Another one of his major concerns is economic growth.

With the City Council, Severtson sits on the Albert Lea Housing and Redevelopment Authority board and the Albert Lea Municipal Airport advisory board.

He was the first vice president of the Albert Lea Port Authority when it was established in the mid-1980s. In 1998, he served on the county courthouse facilitating committee to build the new government center.

He has worked at Enderes Tool Co. Inc. for 26 years.

Though he’s recently had some health problems, he said he is back on his feet and ready to go door to door for his campaign.

“The big issue is if people agree with me, they need to be willing to write my name in,” he said.