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BLOG | N.W.T. election 2015: Who's running for re-election?

With N.W.T.'s territorial election date now set for Nov. 23, a number of potential candidates have come forward. CBC North's Hilary Bird shares what we know so far on who's planning to run and where.

CBC North's Hilary Bird shares the latest on which MLAs are planning to run again

Regular MLAs, from left, Jane Groenewegen, Daryl Dolynny, Robert Bouchard, Michael Nadli, Robert Hawkins, Wendy Bisaro, Alfred Moses and Bob Bromley attend a session of the Northwest Territories legislative assembly last fall. (Chantal Dubuc/CBC)

With N.W.T.'s territorial election date now set for Nov. 23, a number of potential candidates for MLA have come forward to throw their hat in the ring.

The official nomination period opensOct. 26 and closes at 2 p.m. Oct.30, but here's what we know so far on who's planning to run and where.

Frame Lake MLA Wendy Bisaro speaks in the Northwest Territories legislative assembly last fall. Bisaro says she will not seek re-election in November. (Chantal Dubuc/CBC)

Two-term Frame Lake MLA Wendy Bisarohassaid shewon't be running; she'sdecided to retire.

Weledeh MLA Bob Bromleysaid Mondayhe'sstill unsure whether or not he'll run for another term.TheYellowknivesDenecommunities ofNdiloandDettah, which were previouslypart of the Weledehelectoral district, will jointheTuNedheconstituency in this election.

Anumber of MLAshave confirmed to CBC News that they will be running, including:

  • Robert C.McLeod, InuvikTwin Lakes
  • MichaelNadli, DehCho
  • Robert Bouchard, Hay River North
  • Jackson Lafferty,Monfwi
  • Daryl Dolynny,Range Lake
  • Norman Yakeleya, Sahtu
  • Alfred Moses, InuvikBoot Lake

Robert Hawkins announced Thursday he will also once again be running in the territorial election for Yellowknife Centre, instead of seeking theLiberal nomination inthe upcoming federal election.

Neither Hay River South MLAJane GroenewegennorThebachaMLAMichael Miltenbergerhavesaid whether they willrun. They are two of only four N.W.T.MLAsto have everserved five terms, along withLudyPudlukand the late Tom Butters.

If either of them isre-elected, he or she wouldbecome the longest serving MLAin the territory's history.

New candidates

Yellowknife city councillor and former deputy mayor Cory Vanthuyne told CBC News last weekhe is planning on running for MLA but wouldn't say in what Yellowknife electoral district.

At least three women who participated in acampaign school for women run by theN.W.T. government and the Status of Women Council of the N.W.T.earlier this year said they'relooking to join the race.

Yellowknife Centre MLA Robert Hawkins speaks in the Northwest Territories legislative assembly. Hawkins says he will seek re-election instead of pursuing the federal Liberal nomination for Western Arctic. (Chantal Dubuc/CBC)

One of them is former CBC NorthjournalistJulie Green, who has yet to formally announce candidacy.

"I have always lived in Yellowknife Centre so it makes sense for me to look at running here," she said in an email Monday.

Caroline Cochrane-Johnson, who called the campaign school "wonderful," said sheis also thinking about running. She isa Mtis woman from Yellowknife and is currently CEO of the Centre for Northern Families.

Skills Canada NWT executive directorJan Fullertonsaidshe is also planning on running but hasn't decided where.

Another Yellowknife city councillor, an indigenous rights activist, a well-known musician and even a former premier have told CBC Newsthey are all considering throwing their hats in the ring.We'll keep you posted as soon as we receive word that they've made up their minds.

Advance polls open Nov. 16.On election day Nov. 23, polls will be open 9 a.m. to 8 p.m.