GOP endorses candidates in Saratoga Springs

Two incumbents among those seeking council, county posts

The city’s Republican Committee has announced its candidates for the 2021 city and county elections. For the first time in years, it’s a full slate.

Chairman Chris Obstarczyk said the slate, including two incumbents is, “the most dynamic group of Saratogians that have been fielded to run for office in decades.”

The candidates for City Council are:

Heidi Owen West for mayor Incumbent Anthony “Skip” Scirocco for commissioner of public works

Tracey Labelle for commissioner of public safety

Joanne Kiernan for commissioner of finance

Samantha Guerra for commissioner of accounts

The candidates for county supervisor are: Incumbent Matthew Veitch John Stafford

“We have a unified, qualified and experienced ticket that is going to impress all Saratogians,” Obstarczyk said in an announcement of the slate.

In recent years, Republicans did not put up a candidate for commissioner of finance or commissioner of accounts. During the 2019 election, they also did not back a candidate for mayor, even though a Republican candidate was on the ballot and sought the committee’s endorsement.

This year, business owner West, who has filed an Article 78 to stop the city from building a third fire and EMS station on Henning Road, is running as an independent. On Monday, she said she is committed to providing emergency services to the east side.

“When the opportunity presented itself to possibly becoming mayor of our city, I began working immediately and am in the process of removing my name from the lawsuit,” she said. “My intent is to build an emergency services station to serve the east side, no matter where the location is.”

Kiernan, who is a member of the Saratoga Springs City School district board, is also running as an independent with GOP endorsement. She advocated for arming school grounds monitors.

Scirocco and Veitch are longtime city officials. Both were elected to their current positions in 2008.

Labelle is the daughter of longtime city judge Lawrence Labelle.

Obstarczyk emphasized the number of women who are running. “Our committee has been listening and taking in feedback from city residents the last several years,” Obstarczyk said in a statement. “... They want diversity. They want creative thinkers and problem solvers. After months on the recruiting trail, our endorsed team was built from what Saratogians are looking for.”