Former Ontario NDP leader Andrea Horwath is expected to announce Tuesday that she is running for mayor of Hamilton.
Horwath was a Hamilton city councilor for several years before moving into provincial politics in 2004, when she was elected as an MLA. He became leader of the Ontario NDP in 2009, leading his party to four elections.
After his party’s loss in June, Horwath announced he would step down as leader of the Ontario NDP, but did not announce any immediate plans.
She is expected to announce Tuesday morning that she will join the race to be Hamilton’s next mayor, a campaign source told CP24 on Monday.
Outgoing Mayor Fred Eisenberger said in June he would not seek another term in office, opening the race. He publicly released Horwath’s name as someone who might be a good candidate for the job. Horwath said at the time that her “heart is always in Hamilton” but that she wasn’t ready to make any announcements.
Horwath’s expected entry into the race adds a high-profile name to a contest without an incumbent.
Other candidates have already registered to apply for the job. They include former mayor and Liberal MP Robert Bratina, former mayoral candidate and taxi union boss Ejaz Butt and former Hamilton Chamber of Commerce CEO Keanin Loomis.
Nominations close on August 19 and election day is scheduled for October 24.
– With files from Cristina Tenaglia