Andrea Horwath announces bid for Hamilton mayor

Former Ontario NDP leader Andrea Horwath announced Tuesday she will run for Hamilton mayor in the October municipal election.

Horwath said she will be leaving her provincial seat to run in the mayoral race.

Horwath stepped down as NDP leader after 13 years following the provincial election that saw her party return to official opposition status.

Following that, there was widespread speculation that Horwath was considering a bid to run for mayor in her city, where she was re-elected as the MPP for Hamilton Centre.

Hamilton Mayor Fred Eisenberger has said he will not seek re-election in the fall after three terms in office.

Ontario’s municipal elections are set to be held on Oct. 24.

In response to her announcement, Ontario Premier Doug Ford wished Horwath good luck.

“As I said the day after the election, let there be no doubt that Andrea wakes up every day ready to fight for what she believes in. I want to thank her for her years of public service, both as the leader of the opposition and as MPP for Hamilton Centre,” Ford said in a statement.

“As municipal elections approach, I wish all candidates across Ontario the best of luck.”