THUNDER BAY – The Westfort Ward race has doubled in size.
John Collins on Wednesday became the second candidate in the south-side ward to file nomination papers at city hall, joining first-time candidate Alan D. Corbett on the ballot.
Incumbent Kristen Oliver has yet to put her name forward for a second term.
Brian Phillips upped the at-large contest to five candidates. He’ll be running alongside Kasey Etreni, Iqbal Khan, Adetunde Ogunberu and Marilyn Cully.
It’s a race that’s guaranteed to bring about change. Incumbent Rebecca Johnson has announced she will not be running again, while Trevor Giertuga is widely expected to retire as well, though did leave a sliver of a chance that he’ll change his mind.
First-term at-large Coun. Peng You has joined the mayor’s race, where he’s expected to go up against Gary Mack and Robert Szczepanski. Mayor Bill Mauro has announced he will not be running again in 2022.
Candidates have until Aug. 19 to file nomination papers with the city clerk’s office.
A total of 18 candidates have officially signed up, though no one has yet put their name forward it either McIntyre or Neebing Wards. In the latter, incumbent Cody Fraser announced he will not be running for a second term.
Four years ago, there were 11 people vying for the mayor’s chair and 61 total candidates, including 26 in the hunt for one of five at-large spots.
The English Public School Board Trustee contest with the addition of Donica LeBlanc, who joins George Saarinen, Leah Vanderway and Trudy Tuchenhagen. Matt Pearson and Lawrence Badanai remain the lone entrants in the English Separate School Board Trustee contest. Claudette Gleeson is the only candidate to file papers in the French Separate School Board Trustee election.
The election is on Oct. 24.
