Yellowknife (Oct 31/03) - Joe Handley wants to be premier of the Northwest Territories.So does Floyd Roland, MLA for Inuvik-Boot Lake.

"I'm surely considering it," Roland said Thursday from his home in Inuvik.

"I have a lot of support at home, but that doesn't translate into 19 votes in the House."

Handley, surrounded by a throng of well-wishers and supporters Wednesday night at the official opening of his campaign office in Old Town, said "I'm confident I can do the job."

The MLA for Weledeh and finance minister in the last government, Handley said several times in the past six months that he was considering a run for the top political post.

But the statement during an interview marked the first time Handley has openly declared interest in succeeding Stephen Kakfwi as government leader.

"I'm interested in the premier's position, but we'll have to take it step by step," said Handley.

That will mean retaining his seat in the Nov. 24 vote and gathering support when 19 MLA's meet in mid-December to decide on who will be Speaker, premier and cabinet in the next government.

One knowledgeable observer said Handley faces a tough sales job with MLAs from small communities who distrust politicians from Yellowknife.

"It comes down to who do you trust, who do you talk to, the small communities or your buddies in the city," said the observer, who asked not to be named.

Handley won Weledeh easily in the 1999 election, grabbing 58 per cent of the vote.

Roland also won in a walk with 350 votes - 83.3 per cent of the total cast.

This time, both could win by acclamation. The deadline for filing nomination papers is 2 p.m. today and by press time, Handley and Roland were without challengers.