Amarjeet Sohi to seek reelection as Ward 12 councillor

CTV Edmonton: Sohi seeks reelection as councillor It's still a one-horse race for mayor, at least for now - after Councillor Amarjeet Sohi announced he would seek reelection as councillor.

Councillor Amarjeet Sohi quieted speculation Tuesday that he would seek election as mayor, when he announced that he will run for reelection in his southeast Edmonton ward.

In the announcement, made Tuesday at City Hall, Sohi said a number of people had encouraged him to run for mayor in the upcoming fall election.

“I have appreciated the sincere encouragement from people of all regions of the city,” Sohi said in a press release.

“With the departure of Mayor Mandel and a few of my colleagues considering retirement and others considering a run for the mayor’s chair, the consistency of strong leadership and experience is at risk.

“The presence of my voice at council might be more important than ever as we continue the work of current council to build a dynamic and forward-looking city.”

Some had speculated Sohi would join a handful of other current councillors in a race to the mayor’s office.

Ward 11 Councillor Kerry Diotte announced May 16 that he would seek election as mayor.

Five days after Diotte’s announcement, Mayor Stephen Mandel announced he would not be seeking reelection after nine years in office.

Mandel’s announcement made him the first Edmonton mayor in 45 years to leave the mayor’s office on his own terms.

Edmontonians will go to the polls October 21, 2013.