HALIFAX—A controversial Halifax councillor has made the city’s “worst kept secret” official: he’s running.

Coun. Matt Whitman announced on the steps of Grand Parade on Wednesday that he’s hoping to be elected mayor of Halifax in 2020.

Whitman approached the podium as he dialed in to the Rick Howe Show, a popular talk radio show that’s been a common platform for the District 13 — Hammonds Plains-St. Margaret’s councillor. He held his phone to the microphone, and through the speaker, Howe said, “Go ahead, make your announcement.”

“Some would say it’s Halifax’s worst kept secret,” Whitman said.

“I am absolutely convinced that my love for this great city, coupled with my determination to do right by you, its citizens, will make me an excellent mayor.”

Whitman said his platform will centre on “celebrating and honouring the past,” spending wisely, and planning for “sustainable growth.” He promised a “highly-engaging,” “predominately digital” campaign, with no signage.

“How will you know what I stand for?” he asked. “Just like how you learned about today’s announcement: through our relationships, my reputation and my record.”

The city’s closest thing to a populist politician, Whitman’s record has been a long history of sometimes-racist blunders since he was first elected in 2012.

Whitman has been forced to apologize on multiple occasions — for a tweet directed at an RCMP officer, for a video in which he and his son did a “Chinese fire drill,” for using the word “negro” during a television interview, and for sharing a letter from a self-described “ethno-nationalist" group.

But none of that would effect Halifax’s reputation on the national or international stage, he said.

“I don’t think when people are looking at moving their head office to Halifax or looking at moving to Halifax they’re concerned about someone who ran around their car at a stop sign with their son,” he said, referring to the “Chinese fire drill” video.

“It’s not an issue. What they want to see is someone who’s passionate, focused on Halifax, focused on sustainable growth, looking after our next generation and making sure this is the best place in Canada to live.”

Whitman has also been widely criticized for blocking constituents on social media, a practice he said wouldn’t continue if he became mayor.

“Many people have been unblocked,” Whitman said.

Whitman claimed he’s only ever blocked people who were “aggressive or offensive,” and he’s never blocked anyone simply for having a different opinion. Whitman has routinely blocked reporters, but said most of them have been unblocked.

With Wednesday’s announcement, Whitman becomes the first confirmed candidate in the mayoral race.

Mayor Mike Savage, who won handily in 2012 and 2016, has been coy about whether he’ll seek a third term. Coun. Waye Mason has repeatedly said he’ll wait to see what Savage does.

Whitman’s not waiting. He thinks he can beat Savage if he runs again.

“I think Mayor Savage and I are a lot alike on a lot of files, but where we differ are on some important ones that are going to matter to voters,” he said.

Some of those issues include bringing Uber to Halifax and “history and heritage.”

When asked whether history and heritage meant the statue of Halifax’s violent founder, Edward Cornwallis — which he’s argued should never have been taken down — Whitman said, “Not necessarily. I’m talking about all statues.”

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Whitman said some of his fellow councillors support his run, but “many of them are busy today or not wanting to show their cards.”

Coun. Stephen Adams, who recently announced he won’t be re-offering, was the only councillor to join the three dozen or so supporters assembled. He said he went because Whitman asked him, but that doesn’t mean he’s taking sides.

The municipality’s next election is slated for Oct. 17, 2020. Whitman is getting an early start announcing his campaign now. Newly-passed campaign finance rules mean he can’t raise or spend money till March 1.

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