Bittersweet victory

X-posted from http://www.electalexcullen.ca/

Well Alex Cullen has bowed out of the Mayoral race because of financial reasons. So without Cullen in the mayoral race that leaves O'brien, Watson, and Doucet really as the only other options. Not really a good lineup but at least Cullen's name isn't one of those three.

Sadly, however, Alex Cullen is now running for re-election in the Bay Ward, specifically, to take on Terry Kilrea. I don't really see how Kilrea is going to run an effective campaign seeing as he's a bit of a corruptocrat given that he tried to negotiate a parole board position during the last election and obviously since that didn't work out he's back in the race maybe hoping to get a senatorial position or something out of it. Either way I'm not sure how well Terry Kilrea will represent us yet.

Given that, Cullen might have a good chance in the Bay Ward which is really odd given that he has said specifically that he does not want to run in the bay ward. Further to that, he's totally neglecting the area what with Britannia becoming a ghetto and bayshore remaining a ghetto.

Further to that there's some talk that Cullen is aiming for a run in Ottawa Center maybe because he has better chances there. I don't put too much stock in that rumor but that would be hilarious, moreso if voters put up with that.

See the letter to his 'friends' below!

Dear friends:

It is with regret that I must inform you that I will be withdrawing my candidacy for Mayor of Ottawa. With 8 weeks to go to election day it has become clear to me that I do not have the resources to mount a competitive campaign for the mayoralty. While I believe I have the vision and ideas to provide a progressive choice for the electors of Ottawa, to be able to present these ideas to the electorate in a city of 900,000 residents requires a campaign budget of at least $100,000 for brochures, ads, signs, etc. Unfortunately to date, despite your support (for which I am grateful), my campaign has not succeeded in raising this amount and is unlikely to do so in the 8 weeks remaining in this campaign. This has led me to make this difficult decision to withdraw my candidacy for Mayor.

This will leave my campaign for Mayor with a small deficit, which I will take responsibility for. However, I have further news for you.

Over the past few weeks I have been approached by a number of residents in Bay Ward expressing regret over my impending departure as Councillor for Bay Ward and asking me to re- consider. Further, there are outstanding issues in Bay Ward – in Britannia and in Bayshore – that I have been involved with and would like to see completed. As well, from a City perspective there is the need to see the City’s Rapid Transit Plan (a plan I strongly believe in) come to fruition. And then there is the entry of Terry Kilrea as a candidate for Bay Ward – someone, in my view, who does not represent the values of the majority of residents of Bay Ward. All this has convinced me to seek re-election as Councillor for Bay Ward. In this way, the values and ideas that I hoped to present as Mayor will still find their way to City Council.

Again, I would like to express my appreciation for the support you have given me as candidate for Mayor. I can tell you that making the decision to withdraw my candidacy was not an easy one, but I hope you will understand my reluctance to incur large personal debt in these circumstances. Thank you again for your support of the democratic process.