Charlie Clark’s apparent mayoral campaign is off to an early start.
The three-term city councillor isn’t expected to announce his mayoral bid until next week, but friends are already confirming his plans to run.
Friends of Clark announced their support on social media Friday, and close friend Peter Garden told CTV News that Clark has been planning to run for quite a while.
“He’s a good friend of mine. I’ve been chatting with him for a bit now about it,” said Garden, who owns Turning the Tide bookstore. “He would be a welcome change in the mayor’s seat.”
Clark remained relatively quiet about the plans, but released a statement Friday indicating he will be making an announcement Wednesday regarding the upcoming civic election.
“I am very encouraged by the interest and support I’ve been receiving from people across the city as we discuss issues that we all care about,” Clark said in the statement. “I look forward to updating Saskatonians on my plan next week.”
Clark, the Ward 6 city councillor, was first elected to council in 2006. He sits on numerous city boards and committees, including the board of police commissioners, the transportation committee, the finance committee and the Meewasin Valley Authority board.
He’s married with three kids and holds degrees in education from the University of Toronto, in conflict resolution from the University of Winnipeg and in environmental studies from York University.
He’ll be the second candidate to announce a mayoral bid. Current mayor, Don Atchison, confirmed in late 2014 he’d be seeking re-election in the next mayoral race.
Atchison has been in the mayor’s seat since 2003 and, in October 2015, became Saskatoon’s longest-serving mayor.
He’s currently serving his fourth term.
The municipal election is set to be held on Oct. 26.
