Nine mayoral candidates will fight for residents' votes in the upcoming civic election.
The nomination period closed Friday, with nine candidates declaring a run for the mayor's chair and 26 for city council. It's the largest field of candidates for mayor in three elections, according to city records. In 2005, there were eight challengers for the city's top job.
Former mayoral candidate Jim Routledge and Inquiring Little Minds Education Centre founder Alisha Neumann-Ladret are the latest to toss their names into the race. The duo join a list of candidates that includes: Brunie, Brunie, Al Thompson and businessman Roger McKinnon, as well as former mayor Gary Korpan, incumbent John Ruttan, city council veteran Bill Holdom and Coun. Bill McKay.
Mark Robinson had declared earlier in the nomination period, but has since withdrawn, citing the time commitment of the position.
There are also 26 people competing for eight seats on city council. Nanaimo Area Land Trust executive director Gail Adrienne, Tali Campbell, organizer of the world's largest street hockey game and incumbent Jim Kipp have recently declared. Other contenders include: Brian Anderson, Jack Arnold, Fred Brooks, Leon Cake, Kevin Cantelon, Stephen Cochrane, Gord Fuller, Paul Gogo, Jim Goldsack, Scott Henderson, Jerry Hong, Mike Horn, Karen Hovestad, Geraldine Manson, Wendy Pratt, Jim Taylor, Ian Thorpe, Ian Thompson and Bill Yoachim. Incumbents Bill Bestwick, Diane Brennan, Ted Greves and Fred Pattje are seeking re-election.