Ending months of speculation, Ward 12 Ald. Ric McIver has made it official: He is gunning for mayor of Calgary in October’s municipal election.
McIver, 51, kicked off his campaign yesterday in a glitzy, $150-per-ticket event at a southeast warehouse, with several hundred supporters in quiet anticipation of the announcement.
He became the fourth candidate in the open race to replace Mayor Dave Bronconnier.
“I’ve thought about this for awhile and I know I am ready. I could be good for the city and I want to be. I will listen to the needs and wants of Calgarians,” McIver told Metro.
McIver, an alderman for over eight years, said in an exclusive interview he would put the needs of Calgarians first and focus on balancing growth with being responsible with taxpayers’ money.
“I will remember who my boss is and my boss is the people of Calgary, and I know they work really hard for their money,” he added.
McIver is up for the challenge from fellow alderman Joe Connelly, along with city activist Paul Hughes and former politician Jon Lord — all having declared their intentions to run — saying that’s “how democracy works.”
