Saskatoon Councillor Charlie Clark launches mayoral run

Saskatoon City Councillor Charlie Clark hasthrown his hat into the ring,formally announcinghis intentions to run for mayor.

Clark made his announcement beforesupporters duringa rally at the Delta Bessborough Hotel.

"We have all the elements in place to become a model prairie city for the 21st century," Clark said during his speech. "We have the talent, we have the ideas, we have the institutions and organizations to make this happen."

Last week, a campaign fundraising letter was leaked to the press. In the letter, Shift Development owner Curtis Olson said he was publicly supporting Clark, and wanted a leader with new ideas.

But during an interview with CBC Saskatoon Morning,local political expert Jordon Cooper said that Clark may be part of the 'statusquo.'

"He's a candidate of 'this is how things have been' and has been a defender of how things have been, so I think he's in for an uphill battle," Cooper said.

• Saskatoon councillor Charlie Clark expected to announce mayoral run next week

Clark serves on a number of city committees, the Board of Police Commissioners, the Meewasin Valley Authority board and the Remai Art Gallery board. He was first elected in 2006.

Clark's main opponent willbe current Mayor Don Atchison, who was elected mayor in 2003. Previously, Atchison was a long-serving city councillor.

The municipal election will be held Oct. 26 2016.