Grohman announces Biddeford mayoral bid

BIDDEFORD – City Councilor Martin ‘Marty’ Grohman announced Friday that he is officially tossing his hat into the ring in hopes of becoming the city’s next mayor.

Mayor Alan Casavant announced last year that he would not seek a seventh, consecutive term.

Grohman’s announcement comes roughly three weeks after Planning Board member Susan Deschambault announced her own campaign to be the city’s next mayor.

Grohman, 55, has lived in Biddeford nearly 25 years and said he is “passionate about the city and its people.”

“I am dedicated to the future of Biddeford and proud of our past,” Grohman said. “I’m excited to serve the people of the city of using my hardworking, people first approach.”

Grohman has an engineering background. He sold Correct Deck, a Biddeford-based company he founded several years ago that uses recycled composite materials in the manufacture of decking products. Today, that company, which he is no longer part of, is known as DuraLife Decking & Railing and still located in the Biddeford Industrial Park.

Grohman was elected to the city council in 2021. He also served the city as a state representative for two terms between 2014 and 2018. He also unsuccessfully campaigned as an Independent candidate to replace U.S. Rep. Chellie Pingree in Maine’s First Congressional District.

Grohman and his wife Amy, a member of the Biddeford School Committee, have two children, Hannah and Emery.

Today, Grohman is self-employed, working as a sustainability consultant for businesses and organizations seeking to improve efficiency.

“Sustainability has always been my passion,” Grohman said during a telephone interview Friday morning. “I love looking for efficiency, and I believe that’s a skill set that I can leverage as the city’s next mayor.”

Grohman said he is enjoying talking to people about the city of Biddeford and its potential future. “I’m getting a lot of really good feedback,” he said. “Today, Biddeford is viewed as one of the best places to live and work in Maine, but we also have many challenges, and we need to make sure all this economic development reaches the entire community and doesn't leave our most vulnerable behind.”

In addition to serving on the city council, Grohman is also a member of the Mayor’s Affordable Housing Task Force and serves on the Climate Change Working Group. He previously chaired the Recycling and Waste Management Commission, helping to develop the city’s recycling program. He has also volunteered to revitalize West Brook Skating Rink and supporting local veterans.

Nomination papers for mayor, city council and school committee are available at the city clerk’s office. All nomination papers must be returned by September 5 to appear on the ballot in the Nov. 7 municipal election.

Randy Seaver can be contacted at randy@randyseaver.com.