He hopes to continue leading council meetings in the future in a new role — mayor.

Flattery has announced his candidacy for mayor.

“Having spent almost 18 years on the City Council, I still have the passion to see Fort Dodge grow and be a better place to live, work and recreate,” he said.

“I feel I have gained a good understanding of the future challenges this city and region will face,” he added. “I am committed to working closely with our city manager, David Fierke, and city staff to govern, maintain progress and to navigate our future challenges.”

“My goal as your mayor would be to govern as an effective leader and communicator, both of which will be necessary as we face the continued tightening of the city’s budget,” he said.

According to Flattery, Fort Dodge has experienced transformational changes over the last two decades, which he attributed to the leadership of Mayor Matt Bemrich, former Mayor Terry Lutz, “a visionary City Council and a knowledgeable city staff.”

“I hope to build on this foundation and continue to collaborate among key stakeholders, including our elected leaders of the county, state and federal governments as well as the Greater Fort Dodge Growth Alliance,” he said.

Bemrich has said he will not seek re-election to a fifth term in November.

Flattery is the only person to enter the race for mayor so far.

He was elected to the council in 2007 as an at-large member. After serving a four-year term as an at-large member, in 2011 he ran for a two-year term representing Ward 3 on the city’s northeast side. He won that election and has represented Ward 3 for a succession of two-year terms beginning in 2012.

Flattery led the effort to get the Floyd of Rosedale sculpture placed at 32nd Street and 10th Avenue North.

He has been an advocate for the use and development of Harlan and Hazel Rogers Sports Complex even before being elected to the council. He serves as a director of the Harlan and Hazel Rogers Sports Complex Development Group.

Flattery volunteered with the Fort Dodge Area Chamber of Commerce and the Development Corporation of Fort Dodge and Webster County. When those two merged to become today’s Greater Fort Dodge Growth Alliance, he stayed involved, becoming an Alliance Ambassador and community tour guide.

The candidate has served on the boards of Fort Dodge Community Foundation and United Way, Community & Family Resources, Fort Dodge Betterment Foundation and St. Edmond Catholic School.

He has taken on various leadership roles in Holy Trinity Parish, including serving on the Priests Pension Board for the Diocese of Sioux City.

Flattery is a member of the Fort Dodge Noon Rotary Club.

In 2022, he received the Catalyst Award from the Greater Fort Dodge Growth Alliance.