Ricardo Gräf starts the mayoral election campaign with fresh ideas!

Ricardo Gräf starts the mayoral election campaign with fresh ideas!

There is a breath of fresh air in the political disputes in the Wildeck region: The Free Voters' Community (FWG) has nominated Ricardo Gräf as a candidate for mayor. The 34-year-old is going into the election campaign with the clear motto “New and honest politics with fresh ideas”. The mayoral election will take place on March 15, 2026, with Gräf wanting to succeed Alexander Wirth, who will not run again after twelve years.

Gräf is not a blank slate. He has been active in local politics since he was 18 and was previously a member of the SPD before switching to the FWG in 2020. An important concern of the new candidate is to regain trust in politics - a point that is of great importance these days. He wants to focus on topics such as financial stability, digitalization, but also medical care and housing construction. These aspects are particularly relevant for the residents of Wildeck and the surrounding area.

New momentum through digitalization

In modern political communication, digital media can no longer be ignored, not even during election campaigns. Gräf plans to combine classic methods with digital communication strategies. The use of social media will be a central component for him because, according to the Federal Agency for Civic Education 67 percent of Germans now get their news via digital channels. The electorate should not only be informed, but also actively involved.

In this context, Gräf has already drawn up a clear plan. With his almost 18 years of administrative experience, including as head of administration at the Hesse State Office for Construction and Real Estate and in senior positions at the German Red Cross, he brings with him both competence and a good instinct for the needs of citizens.

Trust and transparency

Another key point of his campaign is financial stability. Gräf emphasizes that funding can only be applied for and projects implemented successfully with a solid financial basis. In order to increase this transparency, he would like to modernize the administration and move it closer to the citizens. “We have to show that we are there for the people,” said the candidate.

Active citizen dialogue and proximity to citizens should not remain just empty promises. Gräf wants to involve the population in the decision-making process and value their opinions. These approaches are particularly important because many citizens often feel that they are not heard in political decision-making processes.

With the upcoming election on March 15, 2026, Wildeck faces an exciting time. Ricardo Gräf has recognized the signs of the times and is entering the election campaign with fresh ideas and a clear plan. It remains to be seen whether he will succeed in regaining the trust of citizens and changing the political landscape in Wildeck.