Former Nepean MPP Lisa MacLeod rules out mayoral race, cites quality-of-life concerns
MacLeod's announcement ends weeks of speculation about whether she would challenge incumbent Mark Sutcliffe in Ottawa's fall election.
Sources · local media reports
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Former Nepean MPP Lisa MacLeod announced Friday afternoon via Facebook live that she will not run for Ottawa mayor this fall, ending speculation about a potential bid to challenge incumbent Mark Sutcliffe.
MacLeod, a six-term Progressive Conservative who held Ontario cabinet posts under Premier Doug Ford including children, community and social services and tourism, culture and sport, said she would instead focus on her work as editor-in-chief of a travel magazine.
Her decision comes after she publicly criticized Ottawa's traffic, city finances, and downtown conditions in a widely shared social media post that prompted supporters to urge her into the race. On Friday's livestream, she questioned whether Ottawa is "a better place, a safer place and a stronger place" than it was four years ago under Sutcliffe, and predicted the municipal election would centre on traffic, transit, and public safety.
MacLeod had previously backed Sutcliffe in the 2022 mayoral election. HighOnCity reported on July 27 that MacLeod was considering an Ottawa mayoral run amid mounting public interest in her potential candidacy.
With her withdrawal, the race now features a field of candidates responding to concerns over city services and infrastructure that have dominated local political conversation heading into the fall election.
The facts
Who is running for Ottawa mayor this fall?
Incumbent Mark Sutcliffe is running. The article does not name other confirmed candidates in the race.
Why did Lisa MacLeod decide not to run for Ottawa mayor?
MacLeod said she would instead focus on her work as editor-in-chief of a travel magazine.
