More Calgary mayoral candidates, including a former councillor and runner-up in the 2021 mayoral election, have officially kicked off their campaigns on Tuesday.
Jeromy Farkas is now the fifth applicant vying for the city’s top job listed on its website.
Speaking to reporters at the Elections Calgary office on 22 Street NE, he says he is running as an independent, reiterating a platform of safety and affordability.
“What we’ve been hearing, first and foremost, has been around safety. It’s around affordability, and we’re ready to get started and to engage in this campaign and provide the solutions to these challenges,” he said.
“We have about two months to go. It’s going to be an exciting campaign.”
Farkas was the councillor for Ward 11 from 2017 to 2021 and also served as a police commissioner and community volunteer. Since October 2023, he’s served as the chief executive officer for the Glenbow Ranch Park Foundation.
A day earlier, he announced Zero Hour Strategy principal John Larson and owner of Madame Premier Sarah Elder as co-chairs for his campaign.
He wasn’t the only one to officially begin the mayoral campaign. Brian Thiessen with the Calgary Party, who also served on the Calgary police commission, filed at the city’s election office on Tuesday as well, albeit with less media presence.
Councillor Sonya Sharp, the face of the Communities First Party, submitted her paperwork ahead of the deadline back in late March.
Meanwhile, current Calgary Mayor Jyoti Gondek and ex-councillor Jeff Davison have said they intend to run for Calgary’s top job but have not officially submitted their paperwork.
The deadline for them to formally announce their candidacy is Sept. 22.
Calgarians are encouraged to check and ensure they are registered to vote in the municipal election this fall by checking the province’s voterlink.ab.ca.