Category: Politics

The Politics behind the issue or of the day

Two Mayoral Candidates Announced for 2016 Election

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And we can take this as the race has started

It seems people are lining themselves up for the mayoral race already with an announcement coming out last night.

From Voxy:

Berry to stand for Auckland mayoralty in 2016

 Saturday, 11 April, 2015 – 21:54

Following speculation over the last couple of weeks, Affordable Auckland Leader Stephen Berry has confirmed he will be contesting the Auckland Mayoralty as well as standing for Council in the ward of Albany. “In the absence of a Mayoral candidate advocating lower rates, focusing on core Council services and deregulating the housing market, I am assuming the responsibility of representing the interests of the ratepayers and residents of Auckland.”

Mr. Berry previously stood for the Mayoralty in 2013, finishing in third place with 13650 votes or 4.1%. He accepts that at this stage he is an outside chance to win but believes Affordable Auckland will be able to have a strong impact on the result of the election. “In 2013 we started campaigning only six months out from the election, our limited resources were spread across five cities and we were ignored by the media. This time around we are starting to campaign today, we will have more resources focused only on the Auckland election and our voice cannot be ignored.

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Rest of the spiel can be seen here: http://www.voxy.co.nz/politics/berry-stand-auckland-mayoralty-2016/5/218526

What caught my attention in the statement though was this:

Mr. Berry considers that based on past performance and the opportunities this ticket has going for it, it would not be unreasonable at this stage to forecast his candidacy may attract 30,000 votes. “I will continue to be a candidate for Mayor as long as there is not another candidate who supports Affordable Auckland’s policies and may attract more votes. Should someone like Cameron Brewer put their name forward in a potential scenario which may indicate a close result, I will be only too happy to consider withdrawing to consolidate support for advocates of smaller council.

I am going to consider that statement until there is an out right denial as Cameron Brewer also running for Mayor next year on a Right Wing ticket.

So in effect two Right Wingers have announced or implied running in what is going to be an interesting contest next year for Local Government elections.