A would-be candidate for city council is hoping he can swat an incumbent from office.
Former City of Winnipeg entomologist Taz Stuart says he will seek a seat in River Heights, against current councillor John Orlikow.
“I want to serve the citizens in a more powerful way, in the sense that I can serve them directly,” he said. “A lot of people know who I am and I'm working for them.”
Stuart says he is not running against Orlikow. He is instead vying for a seat.
Initially Stuart says he was eyeing a run for Mayor, but changed his mind because of the swarm of candidates in that race.
Besides his mosquito expertise, Stuart says he has experience running a city department and its budgets.
“I ran a very, very large program, $8 million-program, therefore I think I have the experience on that side,” he said.
Stuart’s departure from that job has never been publicly explained. Stuart stresses it's unrelated to his candidacy.
Unlike many first-time candidates, Stuart has instant name recognition among Winnipeggers, something he hopes is a bonus. One political analyst says it could give Stuart a boost
"A lot of people will know who he is, he's a recognizable guy, and front-and-centre, talking about something Winnipeggers care dearly about in the summer,” said Curtis Brown of Probe Research.
Brown says swatting away incumbent Orlikow will not be an easy task. He’s already a winner of two hard-fought elections.
"He's managed some pretty tough challenges against some pretty high profile candidates,” said Brown.
Orlikow, who up until now was running uncontested, says he always expected someone would enter the race in River Heights against him.
"I'm looking forward to a very positive campaign, where we can really reach out to the neighbourhoods, all our neighbourhoods, get them engaged in the process and let them decide,” he said.
Stuart plans to officially register on Saturday.
- With a report by Jeff Keele
