Two-term Victoria city councillor Ben Isitt has become the first incumbent to announce he will seek re-election next month.
In a statement released Wednesday, Isitt said he has decided to seek re-election as a councillor and Capital Regional District director to provide “experienced, compassionate leadership for a caring and sustainable city and region.”
Isitt received the most votes out of anyone else on the ballot, including the mayor, in the 2014 and 2018 elections.
Prior to becoming a councillor Isitt ran unsuccessfully for the mayor’s seat, something he considered doing again this October.
“Ultimately, I’ve decided to seek re-election as Councillor and Regional Director, balancing municipal service with my professional work in public-interest law,” he said in a statement.
If elected, Isitt says he plans to focus his attention on affordable housing and the climate crisis by advocating for fare-free public transit for seniors and low-income earners.
As of Wednesday, Sarah Potts is the lone remaining Victoria councillor who hasn’t announced her plans for the fall.
Regardless of her decision, council is headed for a major shake-up with Mayor Lisa Helps and councillors Sharmarke Dubow, Geoff Young, Charlayne Thornton-Joe and Jeremy Loveday all bowing out of the Oct. 15 election. Current councillors Marianne Alto and Stephen Andrew are running for mayor, opening up two additional council seats.
The nomination period for Victoria mayor and council ends this Friday afternoon.
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