"For both personal and professional reasons, I decided not to vote for the mayoral election this fall."
Diane Deans on Thursday at the Ottawa City Hall Corner Office He announced that he would not run for mayor in the fall local elections, even though he had previously indicated that he wanted.
His longtime councilor also said he would not run for reelection in the Gloucester-Southgate district and would end his political career in Ottawa's municipality.
"For both personal and professional reasons, I decided not to vote for the mayoral election this fall," Dean said in writing.
The Dean believes that the next mayor needs two terms to properly deal with the city's most pressing issues, and at this time it is possible to make that pledge. I said I couldn't.
"After careful consideration, we have concluded that the next mayor needs to carry out his mission for eight years (two terms). Four years will not be enough to lead the city to a better path, "Dean said. "Unfortunately, I don't feel I can make that length promise to the people of Ottawa."
Mayor Jim Watsonannounced in December that he would not seek reelection. After, Dean was one of the two councilors who immediately showed an interest in his successor.
Other councilors registered to run for mayor and launched the campaign for Somerset Ward Catherine McKenny. is.
The nomination period for local elections begins in early May. Candidates cannot raise funds or spend money on campaigns until they register to run for election.
The Dean's career in Ottawa's municipality spans almost 28 years. She was first elected before the merger of the Ottawa City Council in 1994, and since the merger in 2001 she has represented the southernmost district of Gloucester Southgate.
In recent years Dean has established her position as a critic of Watson's voice. She is especially related to the future of LRT and Lands Down Park.
Her current term was politically explosive for the Dean as she rallyed in early 2019 against the secrets surrounding the Stage 2 O-Train procurement process.
She was her first job When Ottawa Police Services faced increased public scrutiny of its budget and policies, she was on the Police Services Commission. Served as chair. Then, in early 2022, the "Freedom Convoy" hijacked the downtown streets, and police response attracted national attention. Peter Sloly has resigned as Chief of Police, and the council has removed Deans from the chair of the Police Services Commission.
The Dean has also faced personal challenges in recent years.
In September 2019, she announced that she would leave the council to receive treatment for ovarian cancer. She returned to the city hall in September 2020.
On Thursday, Dean said the city was "at a crossroads."
"Ottawa residents need to get together in parliament to prioritize the needs of the community," Dean said. "The next mayor needs to find a balance that can bridge all of Ottawa's unique communities (regions, suburbs, cities) and end the divisions seen today."
Dean Is one of the few pre-merger councilors still on the council. Watson was mayor and mayor before the merger and returned to the city hall as mayor in 2010. Mayor of Bar Haven. Jan Harder is not asking for reelection either. College counsel. Rick Chiarellisaid he would seek reelection
As of Thursday afternoon, seven people, including former Ottawa There was a candidate for mayor of. Mayor and MPP Bob Chiarelli.
Mayor, councilor, and school board councilor candidates must submit election documents or drop out of the race by August 19.
The local election is October 24th.
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