Ben Hendriksen, Yellowknife’s outgoing mayor, has withdrawn his name from the list of candidates for city council in next month’s election.
Chosen by colleagues in 2025 to replace Rebecca Alty when she became the NWT’s MP, Hendriksen had already made clear he would not seek a full term as mayor but had announced a run for a council seat.
As the deadline for withdrawals passed on Wednesday, Hendriksen’s name disappeared from the city’s webpage listing council candidates.
Though he could not be immediately reached by Cabin Radio, he posted a statement online saying he had been “evaluating my own energy to commit another four years” and determined he was “better placed contributing to our city and the world around us in non-elected work.”
“It has been a privilege to serve on Council and as Mayor and to make what I consider to be positive impacts in our community,” he wrote.
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“Despite the good things we have achieved together and which I would want to pursue if re-elected; with some more reflection I realize it is time to move on.”
His withdrawal leaves the field at two candidates for mayor and 21 for council.
Election day is October 19.
Hendriksen, who also posted his own analysis of his time in office, said the city was “in a time of rapid change” as he set out what the next mayor and council should focus on.
“We need leadership that has the vision to see that our City is no longer a small and remote town North of 60,” he wrote.
“The world is changing fast and it is bringing the City of Yellowknife with it. We need to prepare and adapt to that change.”
