The heat has been turned up for October's council elections with Helen Craig announcing yesterday that she will stand for the Whanganui mayoralty.
A first-term councillor, Ms Craig will go up against the other declared candidate, deputy mayor Hamish McDouall, for the top job.
Current mayor Annette Main announced in December that she would step down after six years, and endorsed Mr McDouall's bid.
Mr McDouall has stood as Labour Party candidate for the Whanganui electorate for the past three general elections, while Ms Craig is an active National Party member, so the local body election now takes on a hint of national politics.
Though only elected to Whanganui District Council in 2013, Ms Craig has been busy, working with the arts community and getting involved in the Whanganui city centre regeneration, as well as fronting each month at the River Traders market with colleague Martin Visser.