Sarah Potts, final Victoria councillor to declare intention, will not seek re-election

Victoria councillor Sarah Potts says she will not seek re-election to her seat next month, leaving only one incumbent councillor hoping to return to city hall.

In a statement posted to Twitter Thursday, Potts said it has been “an absolute honour” to serve Victoria for the last four years — her first and only term as councillor.

However, Potts said she made the “difficult” choice not to run again due to “unexpected changes” in her personal life over the last two years, both good and bad.

Some of those changes include family health issues, with Potts noting her aging parents are several provinces away.

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Potts said she’s been proud to serve on the city’s Community Wellness Task Force, which has focused on delivering a mental health-first response for crises of mental illness, homelessness and substance use — as well as representing the queer community on council.

“I’m proud to be part of a council that made bold moves in terms of reconciliation, climate change, equity, and inclusion,” she wrote. “I’m proud this council has brought more rentals, affordable homes, and stronger renter protections than ever before, and that we keep advocating for better.”

With Potts bowing out of the Oct. 15 civic election, it makes Ben Isitt the lone incumbent councillor seeking re-election to his position. Councillors Marianne Alto and Stephen Andrew are vying for the mayor’s chair while councillors Sharmarke Dubow, Geoff Young, Charlayne Thornton-Joe and Jeremy Loveday have similarly declared they will not run again.

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