The second man who filed Wednesday for the vacant 1st Ward Albert Lea City Council seat is an occupational therapist at Good Samaritan Society of Albert Lea.

Jeffrey McLaughlin, 48, of 210 Fairview Drive, filed paperwork with the Albert Lea city clerk Wednesday for the seat, along with civil engineer John Schulte V, 34.

“I always wanted to give back to the community, and at this time in my life, I feel like it would be good to give back to the community,” McLaughlin said.

McLaughlin, who has lived in Albert Lea since 1989, has two children, 19 and 16, and one dog.

He said he’s been a room parent for both of his kids over the years, and is a member of St. Theodore Catholic Church and the Albert Lea Moose Club.

He’s also been heavily involved with Little League in the past in several different capacities, including coach, treasurer and umpire.

He said he loves the community and appreciates many things he’s experienced here.

This is his first time running for elected office.

To file for the seat, a person must be eligible to vote in Minnesota, be 21 years old at the time he or she would begin in office and have lived in the 1st Ward for at least 30 days before the special general election.

Cost of filing is $5. It continues through Jan. 19.

The seat is open after former 1st Ward Councilor Vern Rasmussen accepted an immediate appointment as mayor. He was in the middle of his second term on the City Council when he won the mayoral seat in the November general election.

If more than two people file for the seat, a primary election will be March 15. The special general election is May 3.