Randhir Dahya was among the "also rans" in the 2013 election which ended one of the longest council tenures in the city's history.
But now he's back, this time with his eyes on the mayoral chain.
Mr Dahya debuted on council 1992, not buy a whisker but by a whopping margin. He eschews bankrolling big advertising campaigns, relying on his community profile more than anything to get the attention of the voters.
Indian born but a resident of Whanganui from the age of four, he ran three businesses in the city before retiring. And it was in retirement that he decided to give back to the community by standing for council.
He eventually served under three mayors, was a councillor for 21 years and deputy mayor under the late Chas Poynter from 2001-04.