Ritchie to go Mayor only

+Stuff reports:

Mayoral candidate Helene Ritchie will not seek re-election as a councillor and go all-in to become Wellington’s next mayor.

“I have decided to stand only to be mayor of Wellington and to withdraw from the ward election,” Ritchie said.

“This is a big one, of course… I am ready to be Mayor of Wellington. I have no Plan B.”

The representative for the Northern Ward said she will withdraw her paperwork to contest the seat by the deadline of August 12.

This means that three of the five Councillors standing for Mayor will not contest a Council seat also. This means there will be considerable new blood on the Council which is good.