Edmonton's Mayor Stephen Mandel bows out

Stephen Mandel will not run for a fourth consecutive term as Edmonton mayor.

"I believe it's time to open the door to new leadership to guide our city's path forward," he told a news conference this morning at the Art Gallery of Alberta downtown.

"There's always more to do," he said. "Edmonton's a big growing city and city hall must continue to work hard to keep pace with the growth, energy and ambition of this incredible city."

Mandel said he was proud to work with dedicated and "amazing" city councillors over the last nine years.

Mandel, 67, was expected to announce his plans last month during a state-of-the-city address, but instead lashed out at the what he called a penny-pinching and short-sighted provincial government.

"I cannot, in good conscience, tell you what my intentions are today," Mandel told the 2,000 in attendance at the Shaw Conference Centre.

Mandel told the crowd he had second thoughts about retiring when the province cut funding for universities and neighbouring communities balked at the city's annexation plans.

While many expected the mayor to bow out after steering the downtown arena issue through a jittery city council, some councillors were still holding out hope he will run one more time.

"I think we have a very strong foundation laid for some transformative projects — the downtown development, LRT and the city airport development," said Coun. Amarjeet Sohi, one of a handful of councillors expected to run for the mayor's chair if Mandel steps down.

"It'd be nice to see him continue until we put shovels in the ground."

Coun. Kerry Diotte is already campaigning for the job, while councillors Karen Leibovici and Don Iveson say they are considering joining the race as well.