The municipal election is nearly a year away, but it already has its first unofficial candidate.
Cam Guthrie confirmed to GuelphToday on Thursday that he plans on running to retain the mayor’s chair he’s held since 2014.
“I absolutely love this role. I love helping people. I love trying to make our city better and better every single day,” he said. “I’d really like to give it another go for another term if the voters will have me.”
Prior to being elected as mayor, Guthrie served as Ward 4 councillor for a term, beginning in 2010.
Asked why he plans to seek re-election, Guthrie said he not only enjoys helping with major projects such as the South End Recreation Centre and developing city policy with his council colleagues, but many of the “little things” that often go unrecognized.
That, he explained, includes things such as helping people connect with the appropriate city staff to address individual issues, as well as taking on the role of Santa Claus during the recent Toy Drive Train and being a guest play-by-play announcer during minor football games.
“It’s just being in the community and helping,” he said. “I live for those moments and this job really enables me to experience those moments.”
The next municipal election is set for Oct. 24, 2022.
