SALEM — Longtime Salem resident Stacia Kraft and Ward 7 Councilor Stephen Dibble have decided to run for mayor.
Both candidates pulled nomination papers for Salem’s corner office this week, and will challenge Mayor Kimberley Driscoll, who is vying for a fifth term.
Kraft, the creator of the Not For SALEm Coalition, ran as a write-in candidate against City Council President Christine Madore in the 2019 Ward 2 council race. Kraft was defeated, but was able to garner about 35 percent of the votes without appearing on the ballot.
“In an effort to tackle the serious issues currently threatening Salem’s future, our community, neighborhood diversity, historic architecture, coastal floodplains, and most importantly, the unique and diverse people who make Salem so special, I formally announce my candidacy for mayor,” said Kraft.
Kraft cited her “lifelong history” of civic engagement, community organizing, and fiscal management that has built a strong bipartisan coalition of supporters in an “extremely polarized political climate.
“Salem is at a crossroads, and there are a growing number of citizens who feel their voices are not being heard and their positions are not being represented,” said Kraft. “I am not running for mayor because I have political aspirations. I am running because I love this city, but I see us losing everything that makes it so special. I want Salem to progress thoughtfully, in a way that benefits those of us who call it home.”
Kraft cited her other community involvements, including the Derby Square Market (The Salem Flea, a flea market), the Salem Community Gardens, the Plummer Home Garden Project, and the Leslie’s Retreat Celebrations.
Kraft said the current mayoral administration remains focused on real estate development and growth, but she “aims to highlight better planning oversight, meaningful affordable housing solutions, public education, environmental conservation, cultural heritage, improved local transportation, and governmental transparency.”
Stephen Dibble has been the Ward 7 councilor since 2016 and is also the City Council liaison for the conservation commission.
Dibble said the administration needs to focus on doing things to help Salem residents.
“There’s a reason why we’re promoting only luxury apartments around Salem,” Dibble said. “What the mayor is doing is ruining our city. She’s done a lot of good things for years, and I supported her. I worked hard on her first bid. After 16 years, she’s lost her way and she’s not helping Salem residents.”
Driscoll couldn’t be reached for comment.
Kevin Darcy, George O’Brine and Harrison Schell have also previously pulled papers for mayor.
