Long-time Red Deer Coun. Lawrence Lee will be running for mayor in this fall's municipal election.
During a media conference on Friday, Jan. 31, Lee announced his name will be on the mayoral ballot on Oct. 20's election.
“I’m excited to share my passion and I am ready to start the next chapter of our community’s growth,” Lee said, among family and business colleagues in Red Deer.
Lee said his primary focus will be to make Red Deer communities safer. He also wants to help make life more affordable for Red Deerians.
“I want to make sure the business environment is vibrant and growing so you can have the best job possible, and people can be excited to call Red Deer home,” said Lee.
“In the coming weeks and months, I am excited to share my campaign platform and my focus for the next term. I remain passionate and positive about making Red Deer better for everyday people and their families.”
Lee was first elected to council in 2013, and was re-elected in 2017 and 2021. He's a downtown Red Deer business owner and a longtime entrepreneur, as well as the father of two daughters. Additionally he serves as the director of the Federation of Canadian Municipalities and the president of the Red Deer and District Chinese Community Society. Lee has previously held director of operations roles for the Jim Pattison Group, Home Depot and Eye Recommend, and was a past board chair for Red Deer Public Schools.
Lee expressed gratitude to outgoing mayor Ken Johnston during Friday's media conference.
“I am grateful for the work (the mayor) contributed to our community and I’ve learned a great deal in my three terms as a city councillor,” said Lee.
Johnston recently announced he will not be running in this year's municipal election, saying that he will be retiring from public life.
"I have peace over the work we have done together. I see a better Red Deer. I see a dynamic Red Deer, an engaged Red Deer. A Red Deer that is now being powered by what I would call the organic energy of our citizens," Johnston told a group of supporters at his announcement held at Red Deer Resort and Casino on Jan. 22.
Currently, Lee and Kyle Stevens are the only two registered mayoral candidates listed on the Elections Red Deer website. For more information, visit elections.reddeer.ca.
