RUNNING FOR MAYOR
Former Public Safety Commissioner Kim announces his candidacy for city post
SARATOGA SPRINGS, N.Y. » Ron Kim is running for mayor of Saratoga Springs, the candidate announced at a press conference.
The Democrat, a lawyer, previously served as Saratoga Springs Commissioner of Public Safety from 2006 to 2010.
The press conference was held in High Rock Park, where Kim spoke in front of the 9/11 Memorial sculpture.
“I chose our city’s memorial to 9/11 to announce my candidacy for mayor of Saratoga Springs because 20 years ago, when I witnessed those awful events, I knew by the end of the day I needed to do my part to help bring this community together,” Kim shared in a press release. “At the time I was just a private citizen but the next day I got a group of people together from our local service clubs and we planned a candlelight vigil for that weekend at Eastside Rec.
“Helped by various city agencies, we brought the community together to mourn, pray, sing and simply be together during a very dark time in our history. We were united through our tears and grief, we were united as a community.”
Kim continued, “I am running for mayor of Saratoga Springs to return us to that unity and singular purpose. Because just like in 2001, we have gone through difficult times. We have lost good friends. We have seen suffering. We have witnessed injustice. As a community we will only recover if we come together. If we work together.
“If we seek solutions together. Just like in 2001, I want to help this community come together. I will do it as your next mayor, as the people’s mayor working for all of us.”
Kim promised that if elected his office door will be open.
“It is time for an accessible and responsive city government,” he said in the release. “I will work with my colleagues on the city council to make sure
“I am running for mayor of Saratoga Springs to return us to that unity and singular purpose. Because just like in 2001, we have gone through difficult times. We have lost good friends. We have seen suffering. We have witnessed injustice. As a community we will only recover if we come together. If we work together.” — Ron Kim, candidate for mayor of Saratoga Springs
we’re all on the same page when it comes to transparency and cooperation. The time for infighting, for sniping, for disregarding the will and the needs of Saratogians is over.
“I know this may sound Pollyanna — but it’s time for a kinder city government.”
If Kim becomes mayor, he declared that his top priorities will be to build an Eastside public safety station, reimagine the city’s police force to build stronger ties with the community, work with local businesses to reopen safely and develop long-term strategies to protect their viability, and harness federal and state support to develop green policies that create a carbon neutral Saratoga Springs by 2030.
“We can achieve all these goals and more if we join together,” Kim concluded. “If we find that common ground and purpose and take steps together, I look forward to being the mayor that does that for all residents.”
In addition to his public service endeavors, Kim has been practicing law for more than 30 years, with focus on protecting consumers from predatory financial practices and workers from discrimination and harassment.
He received his bachelor’s degree from Colgate University, a master’s degree from the University of Chicago and his law degree from Fordham University.
A Glens Falls native, Kim and his wife, Jennifer, settled in Saratoga Springs to raise their three children, Rebecca, Harrison and Stephen.
Kim is the second candidate to publicly announce his candidacy for mayor, joining local business owner Heidi Owen West who was endorsed by the City of Saratoga Springs Republican Committee.
Current Mayor Meg Kelly announced in January she will not seek re-election in for a third term.