Port Alberni mayoral candidate Stacey Gaiga has bowed out of the race for the city's top spot and placed her support behind fellow candidate John Douglas.
Gaiga made the announcement at the all candidates meeting hosted at the Steelworkers Hall on Tuesday night.
"I had an inkling earlier but was very surprised," Douglas said of the development.
Douglas said Gaiga did talk to him about supporting him. "I want to stay focused on my campaign so I'm going to leave that for Stacey to discuss."
Call's to Gaiga's contact number were answered by Douglas's voice on her answering machine confirming the move. "You've reached the voicemail for Stacey Gaiga," Douglas' voice said. "Yes, it's true, I am supporting John Douglas for mayor," Gaiga was heard to say. "John Douglas is the change Port Alberni is ready for."
Emails to Gaiga were met with an autoreply: "I endorse John Douglas for mayor, signed Stacey Gaiga, November 8."
Attempts to log onto Gaiga's website has the same message and has a link to Douglas' site.
The announcement didn't phase mayoral candidate Ken McRae. "That's life, nothing anyone does surprises me anymore," he said. "People have high expectations."
When asked if Gaiga stood a better chance if first running for council, McRae replied "You've got to be an apprentice before you become a journeyman."
reporter@albernivalleynews.com