Cory Cassel will not be Mission’s next mayor.
The local candidate, who announced his intention to run for the vacant mayoral seat in late January, has decided to withdraw and will not be filing his nomination papers at city hall.
In a press release sent to the Mission Record, Cassel wrote “Over the past several months, my mental health has taken a beating from the impacts of covid and the delayed process to have my husband return to Canada as a permanent resident.
“Under the advice of my counsellor and with the support of my team, I have decided to not submit my nomination papers for the by-election for Mayor of the District of Mission.”
The release went on to say that Cassel would make decisions based on what is “best for our community” and he know “there are candidates in the race who have what is best for Mission in their hearts.”
Now that he is no longer in the race for mayor, Cassel plans to focus on preparing for his husband’s (Yosuke) return, supporting community organizations and preparing for the reopening of the travel and event industries.
“Thank-you to everyone who supported my campaign and to my friends and family who have supported my personal challenges during these uncertain times.”
Currently, there are only two candidates who have officially filed their nomination papers for the by-election – Paul Horn and Rhett Nicholson.
The deadline to file is Friday, March 19 at 4 p.m.