Mandel to announce his plans for upcoming election Tuesday

A day after the first mayoral candidate threw his hat in the ring; Edmonton’s current mayor announced he will go public with his own plans after the long weekend.

Late Friday afternoon, a press release said Mayor Stephen Mandel will hold a press conference Tuesday, May 21 at the Art Gallery of Alberta.

The release stated the conference will centre on Mandel’s plans for the 2013 municipal election campaign.

Mandel was originally expected to go public with his plans in his April State of the City Address, but instead he said he would put off his announcement, as there were a number of issues he felt needed to be dealt with first.

Even now, whatever choice he makes will set a precedent, if he announces he won't seek re-election, he'll be the first mayor of Edmonton to step down in 45 years, but if he runs again and is re-elected, he'll be the first mayor to have a fourth term in office.

News of the upcoming announcement came a day after Councillor Kerry Diotte went public with his intention to seek election as mayor in the October 21, 2013 municipal election.