Race for mayor on
Posted Sep 12, 2012 05:59:53 AM.
This article is more than 5 years old.
One thing is certain – residents in the HRM will have a brand new Mayor.
Official nominations had to be stated by late yesterday. Three of the candidates were already well known, but three more have joined the race. Fred Connors, Tom Martin and Mike Savage will now be campaigning alongside Aaron Eisses, Steve Mackie and Robert McCormack.
Current Mayor Peter Kelly kept everyone waiting until the 11th hour to announce he will not run for mayor or council.
He said it wasn’t easy, and the decision kept him contemplating right up until the end.
“Sometimes very close, other times to the extreme away, but even now as we speak or just before I came down, the calls that were here they’re still coming in to ask me to be a part of this,” said Kelly.
Many speculated Kelly would run for a council seat. His decision surprised his would-be opponent in the Bedford area Coun. Tim Outhit.
“My expectation was that he still has tremendous support in parts of Bedford and parts of HRM and I was expecting that he might make a last minute comeback,” said Outhit.
Even though Mayor Peter Kelly is dropping out this time around, it may not be the end of his political career.
“One has to look down the road for the future. You know it’s a great municipality, great people and there’s a lot of opportunities. Not only for me down the road but for others as well” Kelly said.
Candidates can still drop out of the race by 4 p.m. Wednesday, before they’re locked in.
The complete list of candidates for mayor, council and the school board is posted on the HRM website.
