Nine names will appear on the ballot in this year’s mayoral race, but Brian Bigger doesn’t want you to put a notch next to his name.
The incumbent recently announced he has withdrawn his name from consideration in this year’s civic election, scheduled for Oct. 24.
The only problem is, the deadline for a candidate to withdraw their nomination legally was at 2 p.m. on Aug. 19, so he is still considered a certified candidate for the office of mayor.
So described a city spokesperson, who affirmed, “Brian Bigger’s name will still appear on the ballot.”
Alongside Bigger, registered candidates slated to appear on the ballot include:
- Evelyn Dutrisac, a past councillor in the Town of Rayside-Balfour, and later the amalgamated City of Greater Sudbury.
- Don Gravelle, a man born and raised in Sudbury who currently works in the insurance industry.
- Bob Johnston, an outspoken advocate for the city’s homeless community.
- Devin Labranche, a local realtor.
- Paul Lefebvre, a former tax lawyer and Liberal MP for Sudbury.
- Miranda Rocca-Circelli, the owner and publisher of local real estate publications and the CEO and owner of Creative eLearning Design.
- Mila Wong, a past city council member and retired registered nurse, human rights officer and qualified arbitrator and mediator.
- David Popescu, a convicted purveyor of hate speech.
Bigger announced on Oct. 4 that he would no longer seek a third term as Greater Sudbury’s head of council. The announcement came a day after he participated in the previous evening’s mayoral candidates town hall meeting at the Indie Cinema.
He cited family reasons as his chief reason for withdrawing, mainly his mother’s failing health.
“It is a difficult decision, but in my heart I will now be able to spend more time with family, and when family really needs you, the question is, are you going to be there or not?” he asked at the time of his announcement.
Bigger has served the City of Greater Sudbury for 13 years, including a few as the city’s first auditor general before his election to city council as mayor in 2014.
