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This article was published 21/1/2014 (2433 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

The list of potential candidates for mayor got a little more crowded this morning.

River Heights councillor John Orlikow confirmed he will run for the top job in the Oct. 22 election.

Coun. John Orlikow

"I've still got to dot a few 'I's and cross a few 'T's, but yeah." Orlikow said. "Our intention is to run."

Orlikow’s entry adds some confusion to the centre/left wing spectrum.

Former New Democrat MP and MLA Judy Wasylycia-Leis is mulling another run for mayor – she finished second to Katz in 2010 – and early polls show she can beat a crowd of right-wing candidates.

Wasylycia-Leis has invited supporters of her 2010 campaign to a public meeting Feb. 2, to discuss the campaign, her chances of running again, and other possible progressive candidates.

Orlikow said he’s not worried about Wasylycia-Leis as a candidate, adding polls show her support has stalled at 45 per cent – about the same level she had when she lost to Katz in 2010.

Orlikow said his polling shows he can easily out-draw Wasylycia-Leis against a field of right-wing candidates.

"I don’t think anyone should be trying to run (for mayor) to get less than 50 per cent," Orlikow said. "My numbers indicate I can achieve that goal with everything working right. My goal is 70 per cent (of the vote). I don’t want to win with 30 per cent."

The only declared candidate for mayor so far is former St. Vital councillor Gord Steeves. However, others from the right/centre-right spectrum who are considering include councillors Scott Fielding (St. James-Brooklands) and Paula Havixbeck (Charleswood-Tuxedo), and privacy lawyer Brian Bowman.

Fielding has said he will not run again as a councillor.

Orlikow said before he makes his candidacy official, he will find a suitable replacement as councillor.

"I want to make sure I have a good candidate here to represent the neighbourhood well," Orlikow said. "I’m in that process now."

aldo.santin@freepress.mb.ca