Stacia Kraft Becomes 5th Declared Salem Mayoral Candidate

SALEM, MA — Longtime civic activist, volunteer and former City Council candidate Stacia Kraft is the fifth candidate to form an official organizing committee for the upcoming Salem mayoral special election.

Kraft said in her campaign launch that she is running to focus on development in the city's floodplains and wetlands, public education, historic preservation, transportation, affordable housing and the local economy.

"At this moment in Salem's history, we need leadership that is responsive to constituents with bold and innovative ideas, not top-down bureaucracy delivered by career politicians," she said.

The musician who graduated from the New England Conservatory of Music last ran for an at-large seat on the Salem City Council in 2021.

She joins businessman and political newcomer Skip Bensley, former Salem City Councilor Steve Dibble, former Salem Mayor Neil Harrington and former Chief of Staff Dominick Pangallo in the race. (EDITOR'S NOTE: Salem Acting Mayor Robert McCarthy told Patch Tuesday morning that he has also pulled and returned nomination papers in the race.)

A preliminary election to narrow the field to two is set for March 28 with the final special election scheduled for May 16.

McCarthy is currently serving as the city's acting mayor following Kim Driscoll's inauguration as the state's lieutenant governor.

Kraft said her record in civic engagement and volunteerism provides her with a "unique vision based on years of hands-on experience with historic preservation, public schools and environmental initiatives."

"I have proven myself able to innovate and manage considerably large programs which have provided new benefits and, in some cases, financial gain for the city," she said.

Kraft pointed to her "Not for Sale.m" sign campaign against development in environmentally sensitive areas of the city, her creation of the Salem High Parent-Teachers Organization, and her establishment of multiple community gardening, small business and historical initiatives in the city among the ways she has worked to make a difference in Salem.

"I look forward to meeting you, hearing your good ideas and working together for a vibrant future," she said.

The deadline for taking out nomination papers was Friday with the five candidates having until Feb. 21 at 5 p.m. to have nomination papers certified by the Board of Registrars and filed with the City Clerk's office.

The names of the candidates will be posted on Feb. 22 with a drawing for the ballot for the preliminary election, if necessary, the next day.

The last day to register to vote in the preliminary election is March 18. The last day to register to vote for the final special election is May 6.

(Scott Souza is a Patch field editor covering Beverly, Danvers, Marblehead, Peabody, Salem and Swampscott. He can be reached at Scott.Souza@Patch.com. Twitter: @Scott_Souza.)