ALBANY, N.Y. -- Surrounded by her supporters Saturday afternoon, Albany Mayor Kathy Sheehan announced she'll be campaigning for a second term.
The announcement came days after the city was earmarked to receive $12.5 million from the state to cover the budget gap.
“We’re not done advocating for state aid, but certainly knowing that that part of being mayor, we got it to the finish line, it was time to announce,” Sheehan said.
Sheehan was first elected back in 2013 as the first female mayor of Albany.
But after three and a half years in office, she says there is more work to be done. That includes improving neighborhoods, 21st century community policing and diversifying the workforce.
“We’ve really worked hard over the last three years to engage the community and to really empower them,” Sheehan said.
Common Council president Carolyn McLaughlin was the first to announce to she's running for mayor. McLaughlin was elected to the council in 1997, representing the second ward.
Common Council member Frank Commisso Jr. has also announced his intention to run.
Commisso says Sheehan has not been fiscally responsible, criticizing her for putting that $12.5 million in state funding into the city budget.
Green Party Candidate Dan Plaat threw his hat into the ring in February. Plaat says his focus will be on economic and environmental adjustments.
“Kathy has shown the past four years that she is committed to every neighborhood in this community," said Corey Ellis, who ran against Sheehan in 2013 and now is a Albany Common Council President Candidate. "She has shown why she deserves to be mayor.”
The primary will take place September 12. The general election will follow on November 7.