MOSES LAKE — In the wake of Grant County Commissioner Carolann Swartz announcing she will not be seeking a third term, former Moses Lake Fire Department Chief Tom Taylor announced his candidacy for the position.

Swartz, who represents District No. 2, made the announcement that she wouldn’t be running for reelection on Thursday, with Taylor announcing his candidacy shortly thereafter on Thursday.

Taylor is a lifelong Moses Lake resident and a retired 24-year veteran of the U.S. Army. He served at the Moses Lake Fire Department for 25 years, 10 of which were as chief leading up to his retirement last year.

Taylor is emphasizing the following properties in his campaign bid:

• Support law, justice and public safety. Taylor says he will work with local law enforcement agencies, the Grant County Prosecutor’s Office and public safety agencies around Grant County to reduce crime, all the while improving emergency planning, preparedness and response.

• Promote fiscal accountability: The former fire chief touts his extensive budget and executive experience and says he will be an advocate for better stewardship of resident’s tax dollars and will work to improve “county revenue streams as well as expenditures.”

• Increase efficiency in building and planning: With a larger vision of economic growth and planning in mind, Taylor says he will campaign for a “customer-centered” and more efficient building and planning process, for both developers and residents.

He says his priorities come with demonstrating a sensibility and using input from residents and departments around the county to make “sound decisions.”

“I am not a politician,” Taylor said. “But I am a problem-solver with a long history of leadership and commitment to our community. My number one priority, law, justice, and public safety, isn’t just a platform statement. I’ve lived it over the course of my working career and will always want what’s best for our community when it comes to safety. Between that and my vision for fiscal accountability and long-term economic growth, I am truly focused on the future best interests of county residents. If you’re looking for someone who will work hard and make a difference, I’m your candidate.”

Taylor can be reached at 509-760-6672, via email at tomtaylorforcommissioner@outlook.com or on his campaign’s Facebook page at www.facebook.com/tomtaylorforcommissioner.