Mark Grimm dropped out of politics after serving one term on the Guilderland Town Board, but now he’s aiming to be town supervisor.
Grimm announced his intention to run for office on Wednesday, April 24, and said he would be seeking support from the Guilderland Republican Committee, which has yet to endorse any candidates. Grimm served four years on the Town Board from 2008 through 2011, but he decided not to run for reelection because he wanted to focus on his public relations business and other projects, along with spending more time with his family.
“I have a record of looking out for people that is pretty strong,” Grimm said. “I have been looking out for them six years now … and I think there is a lot of support out there for me.”
Grimm said he’s worked to get all “his ducks in a row” and he is ready to focus on political aspirations. He said he would connect with residents face-to-face and is committed to knocking on 10,000 doors.
“I have the same frustrations that everybody else has,” Grimm said. “We have had the same administration for 14 years and that is too long.”
Grimm said he is “confident” he will be endorsed by Republicans and said he has a “record of looking out for the people.” He announced his election intentions on his website and included a video message.
“Local government is where democracy begins, where you have the best chance to make your voice heard,” Grimm said in the video. “More transparent government is the only way to hold our officials accountable.”
Democratic Town Supervisor Ken Runion said he hasn’t made up his mind on running for an eighth term after serving seven two-year terms as supervisor.
“I have enjoyed the job, but I haven’t decided whether I would run for another term or whether I would retire,” Runion said. “I am not going to make a decision based on who may or may not be running for office. I am going to make a decision on what is right for me and my family and how I feel about serving another two years.”
Runion said he would likely make a decision around the second to third week in May. He said he’s been focusing on town operations.
“It is a busy time for us,” he said. “We are coming out of the winter and we are gearing up for the spring activities.”
The Guilderland Democratic Committee says on its website that the committee is “preparing for this important election right now” and will be posting more information soon. Guilderland Democratic Committee Chairman David Bosworth could not be reached before The Spotlight went to press.
When Grimm was previously on the board he and fellow Republican Warren Redlich often clashed with Democrat board members and Runion. Grimm announced he would challenge Runion in 2009, but he withdrew his candidacy shortly after announcing.
Grimm upon dropping his bid in 2009 said, “A Grimm-Runion race this year would fracture the town no matter who wins. I feel this is not what’s best for the people of Guilderland.”
Guilderland Republican Committee Chairman Matt Nelligan, then vice-chairman in 2009, said he didn’t believe Grimm could have defeated Runion that election. Calls to Nelligan were not returned.
If elected, Grimm said he would focus on making government more transparent and have the budget process more understandable for residents. He also is looking to keep taxes down and remove politics from the assessment process.
“I want to make people more aware of what is going on and if they do, they will be better voters,” Grimm said.
Grimm points to several accomplishments while previously serving on the board, such as granting homeowners a tax break for making improvements, cutting red tape for home business owners and forcing the town to dump its trash at Colonie’s landfill so the Rapp Road landfill wasn’t expanded. He also touted helping to stop the $12.95 million Guilderland Library expansion.
“I find out what the facts are and I tell people the truth and that is what they come to respect about me,” Grimm said.
Runion said he doesn’t believe there is much Grimm can point to as accomplishments.
“I don’t believe he had a real record on the Town Board,” Runion said. “I don’t recall him coming in with any kind of proposals or suggestions that would have made life in Guilderland better.”
Grimm believes residents are ready for a change in town government, but Runion doubted Grimm’s assertion.
“I haven’t heard anything to that affect, but those are the sound bites that any candidate for office is going to come out with,” Runion said.
There are approximately 3,000 more active registered Democratic voters than active registered Republicans in Guilderland as of April 1, according to the state Board of Elections. The total amount of registered Democrats in the town is around 9,850 and there are approximately 6,500 registered Republicans.
Approximately 1,330 Guilderland residents are active registered Independents, with the vast majority of those registered being active, according to the state Board of Elections. Within the town there are just over 24,900 registered voters, with 1,745 inactive voters.