Jason Unrau
Northern News Services
Wednesday, July 25, 2007

YELLOWKNIFE - The territorial election is in 67 days and already nine newcomers to territorial politics have declared their candidacy, while incumbents Sandy Lee representing Range Lake and Dave Ramsay of Kam Lake said they'll run again.

"There could be a major turnover in elected representation for Yellowknife," Ramsay speculated.

On July 9, Great Slave MLA Bill Braden said he would not seek a third term. Frame Lake MLA Charles Dent, Yellowknife South MLA Brendan Bell, and Weledeh MLA and premier Joe Handley, have yet to announce their intentions.

Yellowknife businessman Bob Bromley and tax consultant Andy Wong have declared their intentions to run in the Weledeh riding and non-governmental organization director and volunteer Sue Glowach and socio-environmental advocate Ben McDonald have decided to challenge Yellowknife Centre MLA incumbent Robert Hawkins.

Yesterday, Doug Ritchie announce his intention to run for Great Slave, while Amy Hacala said she will run in Yellowknife South.

Outside of Yellowknife, Marc Miltenberger - brother of Thebacha MLA Michael Miltenberger - has announced he'll run against Hay River South incumbent Jane Groenewegen. Fort Simpson town councillor Bob Hanna said he plans to run against Nahendeh MLA incumbent Kevin Menicoche. Between Sept. 3 and 7, challengers and incumbents can make their declarations official by filing nomination papers with local returning officers. To run for office one must be a Canadian citizen, 18-years-old on or before the date of filing and have been a resident of the NWT for at least 12 months.

Candidates must choose an official agent and obtain at least 15 signatures from eligible voters residing in the electoral riding where the nomination paper is filed. A deposit of $200 is also required.