SACO — Jeff Christenbury, the city councilor for Ward 4, has announced that he is a candidate for mayor in November.

Christenbury said his early decision to run will give him more time to speak with residents about what they want for Saco. He announced his candidacy on Saturday.

Mayor Ron Michaud, who is serving his second term, has said he will not run for re-election.

“I’ve been involved for lots of years,” Michaud said. “It’s nice to have new people get involved.”

Christenbury, 26, was elected to the City Council in November 2009. In the past year, he has worked on the Comprehensive Plan Committee representing the council.

“I have a keen sense of where Saco is headed” from working on the comprehensive plan, he said. “I really think we need to realize we’re growing in a lot of different areas.”

Christenbury, a 2003 graduate of Thornton Academy, earned a bachelor’s degree in broadcast journalism, with a minor in history, from Boston University. He returned to Saco after graduating from college and now works at Thornton Academy as marketing associate and general manager of the academy’s television station.

“It’s a good time for myself to make the move up to the mayor’s spot and give a youthful voice to the citizens of Saco,” he said.

Residents will elect a mayor in November for a two-year term, said City Administrator Richard Michaud. There are no other official candidates.

A former mayor, Mark Johnston, said he is interested in running but has yet to officially announce his candidacy. Before Ron Michaud took office, Johnston served seven terms as mayor.

 

Staff Writer Emma Bouthillette can be contacted at 791-6325 or at: ebouthillette@pressherald.com

 

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