Sooke’s political landscape is set to change as the 2018 civic election draws closer.
With a little over five weeks to go until voters go to the polls, major change is a certainty.
Nominations closed Friday.
In total, there are three candidates for mayor, 13 for council, six for school trustee and two for regional district director.
The impending shakeup starts with council where three of six councillor seats are up for grabs. Coun. Kerri Reay announced her retirement from civic politics in Feburary over what she called “an relenting campaign of controversy” against her, council and district staff. With Coun. Kevin Pearson running for mayor, that leaves three of six councillor seats up for grabs.
Mayor Maja Tait faces two challengers to unseat here: Pearson and community advocate Mick Rhodes.
On the school board race, local voters will elect three trustees to the Sooke Board of Education. Incumbents Neil Poirier, Bob Phillips and Margot Swinburnson face a challenge from newcomers Marian Cvitkovic, Britt Santowski and Allison Watson.
Juan de Fuca Electoral Area residents will see incumbent Mike Hicks take on newcomer Daniel Yates for a seat on the Capital Regional District board.
Voters head to the polls on Saturday, Oct. 20, with advanced voting opportunities on Oct. 10 and 17. For more information,, please go to sooke.ca.
Here’s a list of candidates who have officially declared their intention to run for either mayor, council, school board and regional district:
CANDIDATES FOR MAYOR:
Kevin Pearson, Mick Rhodes, Maja Tait (incumbent).
CANDIDATES FOR COUNCIL:
Rick Armour, Jeff Bateman, Al Beddows, Doni Eve, Herb Haldane, Peter Jonassen, Rick Kasper (incumbent), Ebony Logins (incumbent), Megan McMath, Brenda Parkinson (incumbent), Phil Rossner, Tony St-Pierre, Jeff Stewart.
CANDIDATES FOR SCHOOL TRUSTEE:
Marian Cvitkovic, Bob Phillips (incumbent), Neil Poirier (incumbent), Britt Santowski, Margot Swinburnson (incumbent); Allison Watson.
CANDIDATES FOR JUAN DE FUCAL ELECTORAL AREA:
Mike Hicks (incumbent), Daniel Yates.
editor@sookenewsmirror.com
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