Former provincial cabinet minister Shawn Skinner on Friday announced his intention to run in the St. John’s Ward 2 byelection set for Oct. 20.
Skinner his the third person to join the race.
Ophelia Ravencroft and Greg Smith are the others.
The byelection is required because former Ward 2 Coun. Hope Jamieson resigned to take a new position with a national housing organization.
Skinner, who previously served on St. John’s City Council, said in a news release he is eager to serve the residents again.
“I grew up in the downtown and represented the area as a former Ward 2 councillor,” he said. “My experience, knowledge and passion for this city and its residents are why I have decided to seek this seat.”
Skinner was elected twice as a MHA for St. John’s Centre, serving from 2003 to 2011. During his time in office, he held cabinet posts of minister of Natural Resources; minister of Innovation Trade and Rural Development; minister of Human Resources, Labour and Employment; and was also parliamentary secretary to the premier.
Skinner is currently the training director for the Carpenter Millwright College.
“I have been engaged with the issues in the city for many years through my volunteer work with groups like End Homelessness St. John’s and the St. John’s Transportation Commission, and in the past with organizations like Friends of Victoria Park and the Boys and Girls Clubs of St. John’s,” he said.
Skinner said he will release a policy platform in the coming weeks.
Nominations for the ward don’t officially open until Sept. 15, and then will close on Sept. 22.
The election period begins Oct. 2, and election day is Oct. 20. Voting will occur by mail-in ballot, with further details regarding that process to be announced soon, according to a city news release.
As per the Municipal Elections Act, whoever wins the Ward 2 byelection will hold office for the unexpired term of council — in this case, until the municipal election next year.
