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When Jeff Jackson heard about Coun. Tiffany Paulsen’s surprise retirement, he knew what he had to do.

On Friday, Jackson became the first non-incumbent to declare his intention to run in the October municipal election. He will try to become the first person other than Paulsen to represent Ward 9 in 16 years.

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“I live in Ward 9, so I’ve been thinking about it for many years,” Jackson said. “Truly I respect everything Tiffany’s done and would never want to run against her.”

Paulsen stunned her council colleagues at Tuesday’s meeting by announcing she would not seek re-election.

Jackson, who turns 39 on Thursday, works as an IT consultant and owns a business in Saskatoon. He has also served on the City of Saskatoon’s municipal planning commission for the last three years.

Jackson’s experience on the planning commission has helped spark his entry into municipal politics.

“I want Ward 9,” he said. “I want to be the one fielding calls at 10 o’clock at night.”