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This article was published 16/9/2014 (2196 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

Coun. Russ Wyatt is living up to his unpredictable reputation by rejoining the Transcona council race he said he was quitting just four days ago.

Wyatt filed his nomination papers just before noon Tuesday – seeking a fourth term as the councillor from Transcona.

Russ Wyatt

Wyatt said he changed his mind after being overwhelmed by a large number of calls from constituents over the weekend asking him to seek re-election as councillor.

"I heard from many people in the community over the weekend," Wyatt said while speaking to reporters on the city steps of city hall. "It was very humbling. I didn’t expect it. It was nice to hear."

Wyatt said he has informed the federal Liberals that he will withdraw his application for the party’s nomination in Elmwood-Transcona, where he was going to face incumbent Conservative Lawrence Toet and New Democrat Daniel Blaikie.

Wyatt denied any suggestion that the Liberals didn’t want him as a candidate or that Toet – who he endorsed in the last federal election – appealed to him not to run federally.

Wyatt said he remains a party member and his hopeful the Liberals will form the next federal government.

Liberal sources confirmed Wyatt's nomination was not rejected by the party, but cast doubts on the councillor's earlier claim he was wooed by party leader Justin Trudeau's people.

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Wyatt said he has no intention of returning to council and then seeking the Liberal nomination.

"I’m running for another term and will serve if elected," he said. "There’s always other elections down the road."

Wyatt faces labour-endorsed candidate Ray Ulasy and Blessing Feschuk, a veteran health care aide, in the Transcona race.

bartley.kives@freepress.mb.ca

aldo.santin@freepress.mb.ca