After announcing during her concession speech following the provincial election this past June that she would be stepping down as Ontario NDP leader, and after current Hamilton Mayor Fred Eisenberger said he would not seek re-election this October, today’s announcement by Andrea Horwath to run for mayor comes as no surprise.

”I really believe that my best way now, going forward, to serve the people of Hamilton Centre, to work for them and achieve for them, is through the mayor’s position,” said the 59-year-old Horwath, who’s resigning as MPP.

A by-election will be called at a later date.

”I’ve worked with the people of Hamilton for literally my entire life.

People know what they’re getting because I’ve been doing this work for a while, loving every minute of it, and looking forward to have the chance to do that as mayor,” she added.

Horwath first served as Hamilton city councillor in 1997 before moving on to provincial politics seven years later.

She served as leader of the NDP for 13 years.

On behalf of the party, interim leader Peter Tabuns congratulated her on the announcement.

”Anyone who knows Andrea has heard her speak passionately about her hometown.   Her heart is always in the Hammer.”

Other candidates include former mayor and Liberal MP Bob Bratina, former Hamilton Chamber of Commerce CEO Keanin Loomis and former mayoral candidate and taxi union head Ejaz Butt.