NORFOLK - A Norfolk city official is hoping to make the jump from one governing body to another.

Norfolk Planning Commission Board Member Frank Arens announced Friday that he is seeking the open Ward 2 seat on Norfolk's City Council.

Arens has been on the Planning Commission for four years and says that's given him insight into the city's direction.

Arens told News Channel Nebraska that he thinks there is positive growth in Norfolk, and he'd like to see the city take the next step.

Arens works as an insurance agent.

Arens' filing gives a small boost to what's been a somewhat lackluster election season in Madison County. As of Friday, Norfolk's Ward 3 and 4 councilmen, Gary Jackson and Thad Murren, are running unopposed. Arens is the only candidate that's emerged in Ward 2 so far, and only one candidate - Christopher Moore - has filed so far for the open seat in Ward 1.

The run of unopposed races extends to the county level as well. Madison County's District Two seat currently has just one candidate, Zak Hookstra, a Libertarian.