‘We simply don’t want a repeat:’ 44 candidates gunning for overhauled Nanaimo council
NANAIMO — It appears four tumultuous years of civic governance in Nanaimo has inspired many political dreams.
The City of Nanaimo officially declared the candidates for the Oct. 20 municipal election Friday afternoon. Four candidates will vie for the mayor’s chair, while 40 people entered the race for the eight council seats. The list may still change, as candidates have until Sept. 21 to withdraw from the ballot.
Four incumbents have declared: Sheryl Armstrong, Gord Fuller, Jerry Hong and Ian Thorpe. Wendy Pratt, who resigned mid-term, is also running again.
Current mayor Bill McKay and councillors Bill Bestwick, Jim Kipp, Diane Brennan and Bill Yoachim will not chase another term.