Douglas Esek
Doug Essek has announced that he will not run for a second term as mayor in the village of Fredonia.
During an interview on WDOE radio Monday morning, Essek made it official that he would no longer run. Essek told the OBSERVER on Monday afternoon: “This is a chapter that is over and I must move on to the next chapter.”
When asked why he stopped walking, he said: “I have many different things ahead of me in my life.”
Although he is not running this November, Essek would not rule out another campaign for elected office. “I don't know what the future will bring” he said.
He looks forward to the future of the Fredonia government. “We will attract many new people with new energy and new ideas.” he said.
His political career began in 2017 when he was elected to fill a vacant trustee seat. Essek was elected in 2018 for his first four-year term.
He won the office of mayor in the 2019 election against incumbent Athanasia Landis. But it wasn't easy at the top. After the village won the Small Business Revolution competition, the momentum was lost to COVID-19. Months later, a 20-day September boil-water crisis angered residents and businesses. Essek later contracted the virus, which put him in the intensive care unit at UPMC Hamot in Erie, Pennsylvania. “between the ministries I received, the thoughts and prayers, this has truly been an amazing experience.” he said. “I'm just very happy to be here and to share this with you.”
Democrats have backed Michael Ferguson for mayor of Fredonia. Republicans in Pomfret-Fredonia have yet to come up with a list of candidates.