SARATOGA SPRINGS — Saying that the current public safety commissioner is antagonistic to social justice advocates, the chair of the city’s Civilian Review Board is seeking to enter November’s election.
Kristen Dart, a vice president of political affairs with Planned Parenthood Empire State Acts and the granddaughter of a decorated Tuskegee Airman lieutenant colonel, said she was inspired by public comment at the May 2 City Council meeting.
“I was really inspired by the idea that there are enough people to show up on a Tuesday night to talk about the goals and ideas they have and they deserve an option sitting at the City Council representing them in that way,” said the 40-year-old, who identifies as biracial. “I don’t feel the other two candidates present that option to the city.”
However, to enter the race, she needs 631 petition signatures by May 30 for a third party line she wants to create called Community First. If she achieves that, she will be running against incumbent Democrat Jim Montagnino and a Democrat running as a Republican, Tim Coll.
Montagnino said he welcomes the challenge.
“I think the voters should be empowered to choose their leaders,” Montagnino said. “I’m deeply disappointed that three of the City Council members are running without a challenger. Voters deserve a choice.”
Coll also said on Tuesday that he commends her for running, but did not say where he stands on social justice issues. He said his focus is on homelessness, saying the city is facing a “humanitarian crisis.”
Dart is a Saratoga Springs native who worked as an organizer for Planned Parenthood in Providence, RI. After working in city and state government in Rhode Island, she moved back to Saratoga in February 2020 and was appointed to sit on the city’s Police Reform Task Force. That body designed the 50-points of…
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