Sutton to make run
SARATOGA SPRINGS — Deputy Mayor Shauna Sutton announced her candidacy for mayor Wednesday afternoon.
Sutton has been the deputy mayor under Scott Johnson for nearly six years, and in her speech, she outlined the administration’s accomplishments.
“We have much to be proud of,” she said, listing off the construction of the Rec Center, the Woodlawn Avenue parking garage, the Spring Run Trail, the waterfront park and health insurance changes in collective bargaining.
“I know the process and, more importantly, how to get things done,” she said. “There will be no learning curve. I’m ready to go — to continue the progress on day one.”
Sutton said she plans to continue to work “on a lot of things that are still on our to- do list,” such as finding efficiencies in City Hall and a number of planning and trail projects that are ongoing.
However, she also said, “I am looking forward to my own mayoral duties, and I have some new ideas of things I can do.”
Sutton said she will be focused on working across the table if she is elected to the City Council.
“I don’t care if you’re a Republican, Democrat, Conservative or Independent. If you care about this city and its future, then I want to work with you,” she said.
Sutton was introduced at Wednesday’s announcement event by registered Republican Dave Patterson and registered Democrat Derek Legall. Both said party- politics were not a factor in their sup- port of Sutton.
“I believe in supporting the person who is doing the right thing for the city,” Legall said.
He said Sutton’s support and work to build the Rec Center “absolutely” played into his support for her.
“I’ve worked with a lot of deputy mayors,” said Legall, chairman of the Recreation Commission. “I’ve never met one who works as hard as Shauna.”
“I don’t think there is anyone other than a former mayor or deputy mayor who knows that office like she does,” said Patterson, a former Saratoga Springs High School teacher. “I always told my students that when they voted, I hoped they would be able to vote for somebody as opposed to voting against somebody. Shauna Sutton is someone people can vote for.”
Johnson said in March he would not seek re-election. He has been in office with Sutton as his deputy since 2008.
In April, Democratic Supervisor Joanne Yepsen announced her campaign to replace Johnson.
“If people are satisfied with where the city is now and the direction it is going, Shauna is the logical choice,” Johnson said. “She knows the issues, and that is very important when one administration hands over to another.”
City GOP Committee Chairman David Harper emphasized the same point. “She’s an outstanding candidate. There would be no learning curve,” he said.
The Republican Committee will make its official endorsements at its meeting Monday, though Harper billed Wednesday’s announcement as the Republican Committee’s candidate for mayor.
Sutton is a lifelong Saratoga Springs resident who is married with two children.