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White’s mused about running for election at all levels before, even reportedly talked about it with provincial and federal leaders, but never gone for it.

If White did run for mayor now, he’d be a suburban conservative with a law-and-order background. He could talk credibly about issues from opioids and supervised injection sites to marijuana legalization (as mayor he couldn’t control either, but he would manage the city’s handling of them, and has spoken in favour of prescribing “clean” opioids to replace street drugs). Not to mention how the police have struggled with low morale and allegations of racism and brutality.

The Senate isn’t city hall but five years in the daily grind of politics and policy, committees and consensus and time on the governing side and now in opposition, will have seasoned the career copper — though it hasn’t taken away his reputation for bluntness.

The former Mountie and city police chief would have to quit the Senate to run for mayor: under Ontario law, sitting provincial or federal legislators aren’t eligible for municipal office. Being a senator is a $150,000-a-year job until 2034 if White wants it, though when Stephen Harper appointed him in 2012, White promised to quit after nine years.

If White left the Senate in 2021, he’d have time for a break and a campaign for mayor in 2022 if he felt like it then. That’s another thing to consider. And the top job at the Royal Canadian Mounted Police, which White has previously sought, is open again and has been for months.

Watson, Dewar and White are three middle-aged Anglo white guys. But they’re three guys who are at least ideologically diverse, with party affiliations that would give them natural bases of support to build on.

Each election is its own thing and this one isn’t until October. Nominations don’t even open until May, and there’s a provincial election in June. Stuff can happen. But that Watson has two competent opponents at least thinking of challenging him is good news for the city. The more good choices, the better.

dreevely@postmedia.com

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