Obviously this isn’t the first time he’s run for mayor, but last time it was more about building his profile for the councillor position he really wanted instead. This time around he seems to be a bit more serious in wanting to win it. I don’t really know how he’s likely to go, and maybe that depends on whether he becomes the focal point of the anti-Tory-Whanau campaign.

Last time I watched him in a local candidate meeting. He repeatedly stated straw man facts that were outright wrong, attacked them, then had to be corrected by other candidates, even by Diane Calvert! Afterwards I checked with one of the other candidates who confirmed that every single debate (and there are lots because it’s Wellington) he’d been bringing out exactly the same wrong statements to make his points in front of the new crowds, and then being corrected in the same way.

I didn’t think he’d do well then, but with him being very strongly elected before the other two councillors, other voters in my local western ward sure showed me. I really do wish the advocates on that side could find some candidates who were a bit more likeable and positive instead of just angry about everything, though. It seems like a long time since we’ve seen a Mark Blumsky in the mayoralty race.