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For 13 years, Mike Clay has served his hometown of Port Moody on council and as mayor.

In that time, he’s been instrumental in reducing crime, overseeing the arrival of the SkyTrain and, most recently, pushing for the development of unused waterfront land.

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Photo by Mark van Manen / PNG

But in a surprising turn, Clay was defeated in the Oct. 20 civic election by councillor Rob Vagramov, a millennial who ran an anti-development campaign.

Now Clay isn’t sure what’s next. He owns a technology business but would also like to stay in public service. He said Friday that he wouldn’t rule out a provincial run.

“You never know. I have never wanted to in the past because my dedication has always been with this city, but if I don’t have that, then maybe I will think of something else. I’m not old enough to retire and I still have to put food on the table,” said Clay.

Vagramov denied Clay a third term as mayor with 4,545 votes to Clay’s 4,161, a difference of under 400 votes. The two clashed over the pace of development, and plans for an old sawmill site on the waterfront.