Salem councilman will run for mayor

January 26, 2011 at 12:00a.m.

SALEM

Democrat Dennis Groves, a former city fireman turned council member, has said he will run against incumbent Republican Mayor Jerry Wolford.

“I just think I can do a better job,” Groves said Tuesday. He added, “I am looking forward to doing the job.”

Groves is the councilman for the city’s 2nd Ward. He is retired. He and his family had a business making furniture and cabinets. His mayoral candidacy has been rumored for some time.

Clyde Brown, a former one-term Democrat city councilman, said he plans to run for the 2nd Ward seat Groves is vacating. Brown said he has lived in the second ward for most of his life. Brown also had run unsuccessfully against Wolford for mayor.

Mary Ann Dzuracky, the Democrat 4th ward councilwoman, has announced she will not seek election.

Rita O’Leary, the Republican councilwoman for the 3rd Ward, has said she, too, will not seek re-election.

David Nestic, the Independent councilman from the 1st ward, who is up for re-election could not be reached.

David Johnson, the head of the county Republican party, said the party will have candidates for all the open positions.

The filing deadline for candidates wanting to run in the May 3 primary election is Feb. 2.