Coun. Andrew Knack has announced he plans to run for mayor of Edmonton in this year’s municipal election.
In a news release issued Thursday, the veteran city councillor, who represents constituents in Ward Nakota Isga, said he has submitted his nomination papers to the city.
“We’ve accomplished a lot,” he said. “But we continue to face significant challenges. Many of us are worried about higher costs, and some don’t feel as safe as they used to; others don’t know when they will get access to some of the basic amenities that others in Edmonton have. We also face a time where people don’t always feel heard in a world that feels more divisive and chaotic than before.
“I’ve knocked on countless doors, listened at community meetings and have a proven track record of getting things done. Edmonton is a hard-working city, and it deserves a hard-working mayor so we can continue to build up as we grow exponentially.”
In an interview with Global News on Thursday, Knack said he plans to focus his campaign on three core issues: how to manage growth in the city, how to build an affordable city, and how to make Edmonton a safer city.
“Our city’s been going through a lot of change over the last few year,” he said, noting the city’s rapidly growing population. “When you look at growth, it means still actually keeping up and responding to the needs that we have. We can’t go back 20 or 30 years to where we weren’t investing in our communities.”
When asked if he plans to be part of a slate in the election, Knack shook his head and said he believes political parties are “poison” in municipal politics.
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“We have seen over and over again, that when people join a political party, they put party loyalty above the people they actually serve.”
Knack revealed in March that he had been urged by some to consider a run for mayor even though he had announced in the fall that he did not plan to seek re-election in the 2025 election.
Things changed this spring when Mayor Amarjeet Sohi announced he was running to try to win a seat for the Liberals in the House of Commons and that he would not seek a second term as mayor even if he lost in the federal election, which is what ended up happening.
“I love municipal politics,” Knack told Global News on March 25. “It’s been my passion. It’s been everything I could have ever hoped for — and if folks believe there’s an opportunity or a role that I can play to help serve best all of Edmontonians, I’ll certainly consider it.”
One of Knack’s fellow city councillors, Tim Cartmell, is also running to become mayor. Former city councillor Tony Caterina is another well-known name trying to get the job.
Political analyst John Brennan saud he was not completely surprised by Knack’s announcement Thursday.
“When he announced he wasn’t going to run for re-election again it was as a councillor,” he said. “He said at the time that he might look at running for public office again sometime down the road. At the time, I don’t think … (people expected) Amarjeet Sohi not to be running for re-election.
“We’re certainly going to be in for a very interesting mayoralty race. … We have two very high-profile candidates.”
Knack’s campaign website says he will officially launch his campaign with a community event planned for June 14.
–with files from Global News’ Erik Bay
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