RENSSELAER, N.Y. â Rich Mooney, a Democrat, has announced he has launched his campaign to become Rensselaerâs next mayor. Mooney served as the thirty-third mayor of the City of Rensselaer, on Nov. 20, 2018, upon the death of longtime Mayor Daniel J. Dwyer and serving the remainder of Mayor Dwyerâs term until December 2019. Mooney lost to Mike Stammel, a Republican, in the November 2019 mayoral election. âOur city is at a crossroads â one of going backwards, reversing the strides weâve made to move Rensselaer forward. We cannot afford to further derail our cityâs hopes and vision due to a lack of real leadership in the Mayorâs office,â Mooney said.