Paterson going after another term as Kingston's mayor

The incumbent announced his intentions to run again on Tuesday.

Bryan Paterson is seeking an unprecedented fourth term as mayor of the City of Kingston.

The incumbent held a news conference outside at a construction site off Highway 15 on Tuesday to announce he is running again.

Paterson, who is the longest-serving mayor in Kingston, says there are challenges that residents are facing that require someone who can steer the ship.

As of Tuesday, Paterson has not formally filed his nomination papers. He would be the fifth candidate running for mayor.

Paterson was already in campaign mode during the announcement.

During the midway point of his current term, Paterson took a leave from office to run for the Conservatives in the Kingston and the Islands riding in the 2025 federal election, a vote he lost to incumbent Mark Gerretsen.

Paterson wouldn't say whether he still has other political ambitions but says his focus right now is what's going on in Kingston.

Paterson's decision comes as many mayors in Ontario have decided not to run again including Matt Wren in Brockville.

Paterson says he thought through this long and hard before settling on another election run.

Paterson will be going up against current City Councillor Conny Glenn, Stephen Cuthbertson, Grant William Bedard, and Vanessa Mensah on election day October 28.

Story by Ken Hashizume