Don Darling Will Not Seek A Second Term As Saint John’s Mayor
SAINT JOHN – The city’s mayor will not be seeking re-election in the municipal elections on May 11.
Don Darling made the announcement posted online Wednesday morning, which comes only a month after he said he would seek a second term as mayor.
“Since making a public declaration on February 8 that I would seek another term as your mayor, something has not been right for me,” wrote Darling.
“My approach to being your mayor is intense and it requires a significant commitment. This has caused me to reexamine my decision.”
Darling has pressed for fiscal austerity in the city government and been a champion of economic and population growth in the community.
“We’ve reframed the conversation on growth; we made some necessary changes to how we measure success, we’ve developed financial policies and a first-ever long-term financial plan, and we’ve been honest about the state of our finances,” he wrote.
Even though he’s decided not to reoffer, he hopes the next mayor and council carries on with the progress made in the last four years.
“Our city and region is full of potential,” he wrote. “On May 11th, voters in the city and region will make very important decisions. Will you choose focus, leadership, positivity and the toughness to get the job done, and are you prepared to play an active role in the positive changes required? Our future shouldn’t be handcuffed by the restraints of the past.”
“The barriers holding us from our full potential have been communicated, the numbers have been shared, and the path forward has been defined. I’m hopeful that the next group of passionate and focused leaders will pick up the baton and run with it. This will not be easy, however, leadership rarely is.
Patrick Beamish, strategic advisor to the mayor’s office, said Darling is not taking any interviews at this time.
Voters will head to the polls on May 11. So far, no one else has publicly declared their intention to run for mayor.