Yellowknife 2022 municipal election: Who's running and who's not?

Yellowknifers can expect some familiar names on the city council ballot this fall, while other longtime councillors are planning to make their exit from municipal politics.

Eight councillor seats and the mayoral office are up for grabs on Monday, Oct. 17, and potential candidates are starting to make their announcements as to whether they'll be vying for residents' votes. 

Mayor Rebecca Alty announced on social media in July that she intends to seek re-election. In an Instagram caption, she wrote that "This fall, my purple signs will be coming back: I'll be putting my name forward to serve a second term as Mayor." 

Alty has served as mayor since 2018. 

Deputy mayor, Stacie Smith, says she will also be running again. Born and raised in Yellowknife, she calls herself a 'homegrown' candidate. 

"I've lived here my entire life, so I've dedicated myself to my community." 

Smith says she has plenty left on her to-do list on council, including her continued push for more Indigenous representation in government. 

Councillor Niels Konge has served three terms, totalling 10 years dedicated to city affairs. He says there's been "good days and bad days."

"At the end of it all, you hope that you've made a positive difference in whatever it is you're doing."

Konge will not be seeking re-election.

Late last year, he received backlash for his racially charged comments after comparing COVID-19 vaccine mandates and the challenges faced by local business owners to racial segregation and the Sixties Scoop. 

He apologized shortly after. 

Konge says he never thought he'd be a politician, but it's now something he can now proudly add to his resume. He's moving to B.C. with his wife and two kids, taking on what he's calling a new adventure.