The Biddeford mayoral race is beginning, with candidates picking up nomination papers last week. Mayor Martin Grohman announced his bid for reelection on July 24. He will be challenged by Councilor Norman Belanger, who announced his bid for election on July 22.

Grohman was elected in 2023, following a two-year term as the Ward 3 Biddeford City Councilor. He also served two terms as a state representative between 2014 and 2018.

Over the past two years as mayor, Grohman has focused his efforts on affordable housing in Biddeford and the city’s growing homelessness.

“I don’t think any mayor or city has gotten as much done on affordable housing and homelessness in the last two years,” Grohman said. “We’ve gotten 58 people housed since November.”

If reelected, Grohman plans to continue his work on affordable housing and homelessness while also easing the tax burden on single-family homeowners.

“It’s kind of gritty, behind-the-scenes work,” Grohman said.

Grohman has also introduced new committees to the city, including the Public Arts Commission, the Sustainability Commission, and the Veterans Committee. All of these committees, he said, have been doing “wonderfully.”

“I really enjoy celebrating everything we’ve done in the arts and in sustainability,” Grohman said. “Those are viewpoints that I think are important to keep moving forward.”

Last month, the city appointed Truc Dever as the next city manager. She is also the first female city manager in Biddeford, an achievement that Grohman is proud of.

“I want to continue to lead her into success,” he said.

Biddeford is a growing community, Grohman said, and he hopes to continue seeing growth and leading Biddeford into the future.

“I think I’m well positioned to do that. I think I uniquely bridge the future and past of Biddeford,” Grohman said. “I’m really proud of Biddeford’s grit and determination and our comeback story. I want to keep leading that.”

Grohman’s challenger, Norman Belanger, is a lifelong Biddeford resident and a City Council member of nine years.

He thought about running for mayor two years ago, but figured that now is the right time.

“There needs to be stronger leadership and a different focus on what’s happening in Biddeford,” Belanger said.

As a city councilor, Belanger is well versed in the issues Biddeford faces, but thinks the city needs to slow down before taking action.

“I think we have a tendency to want to get something done, saying something is better than nothing,” Belanger said. “Sometimes, we need to step back and reset our priorities and make sure we know what we’re focusing on.”

If elected, Belanger plans to set the city up for success by looking at what’s coming to the City Council, setting priorities, and considering what the city should spend money on.

Homelessness and affordable housing are important issues, Belanger said, but he would like to put less of an emphasis on the issues as a city.

“Biddeford can’t solve it on its own,” Belanger said. “I think we need to do it on a more regional basis.”

Belanger’s experience in law and as a city councilor will help him if he is elected as mayor, he said.

“I have a lot of experience mediating and finding ways to work together,” Belanger said.

He also believes that with a new city manager coming in, someone with “longer experience” will better help her transition into the role.

The mayoral race is just beginning, and there is still time for candidates to send in papers. The election will take place in November.