N.W.T. fall election will see most MLAs run again

Most N.W.T. MLAs say they will be running again in this fall's territorial election.

Those who have most recently confirmed their candidacywith CBCare Tom Beaulieu, MLA for the Tu Nedhe riding and the minister of transportation, and Jackie Jacobson, the MLA for Nunakput and the speaker of the legislative assembly.

Here's a handy cheat sheet of what we know right now:

Other confirmed candidates:

• Rod Brown, co-founder of Discovery Mining Services, possibly in the Range Lake riding;
• Julie Green, former CBC journalist, in the Yellowknife Centre riding;
• Wally Schumann, former Hay River Mtis Council president, in the Hay River South riding; and
• Cory Vanthuyne, Yellowknife city councilor, in the Weledeh riding.

Tu Nedhe riding may change

Beaulieu's confirmation comes amidst his opposition to a Tu Nedhe riding change that will take effect with the Nov. 23 election, pending the outcome of a lawsuit recently filed by the City of Yellowknife and others.

Under that change, the communities of N'dilo and Dettah will be transferred from the eastern Yellowknife riding of Weledeh to Tu Nedhe, which currently only includes Fort Resolution and Lutsel K'e.

Kevin Menicoche (Nahendeh) and Frederick Blake Jr. (Mackenzie Delta) have also confirmed they're running again.

Dave Ramsay, the MLA for Yellowknife's Kam Lake riding and the minister of industry, tourism and investment, quietly released a press release confirming he'll run again, back in May.

All cabinet members with the exception of Environment and Finance Minister Michael Miltenberger have confirmed with CBC North that they'll seek additional terms, though Miltenberger did tell The Northern Journal last week he'll seek a record sixth term. CBC North's requests for confirmation have not been returned.

Only two MLAsBob Bromley (Weledeh) and Wendy Bisaro (Frame Lake)have said they're bowing out of this election.

Hay River South MLA Jane Groenewegen said Wednesdayshe remains"unsure" ofher plans.

New candidates include minerals advisory board member

The latest fresh face to confirm his candidacy is Rod Brown. Co-founder of Discovery Mining Services, Brown was most recently appointed by Ramsay to the N.W.T.'s minerals advisory board. Brown says he will likelyrun in the Range Lake riding.

Julie Green, a former CBC North journalist, released a press release in June confirming she will run in the Yellowknife Centre riding.

In a late April press release, Wally Schumann, past president of the Hay River Mtis Council, said he's seeking the Hay River South seat.

Yellowknife city councilor Cory Vanthuyne had already confirmed with CBC News that he will run, but has since added that he will run in the Weledeh riding.

Well-known Yellowknife environmentalist Kevin O'Reilly said Wednesdayhe's "seriously considering" running as well.