London's Mayoral race may be about to get more crowded.
According to a page on his website, Ward 1 Councillor Michael van Holst is considering a run for the top job at city hall - however, he has not yet filed with the city's elections office.
Reached for comment by London News Today on Friday morning, van Holst said he "has a decision to make" and is not officially in the race yet.
On van Holst's website, he highlights his fight against the City of London's vaccination rules. A fight that Integrity Commissioner Gregory Stewart said was a violation of the Council Code of Conduct.
However, in a 7-7 vote, his council colleagues declined to reprimand him for his actions.
"I believe that those who love freedom may see a turn of public opinion by the October 22 municipal elections. For almost two years I have been heavily criticized for voting against mandates at city council and for establishing the Order of Freedom. However, people are changing their views. Recently, someone who tried to shout me down while speaking at a freedom rally called to apologize because he has now changed his mind about mandates. On Saturday, one of my neighbours showed me how his hands have been shaking since he got the second dose and wants to speak further about his injury. If these trends continue then candidates who have stood up for our right to informed consent may win the popular vote," van Holst wrote on his website.
The medical claim made has not been tested by legitimate scientific review.
van Holst was first elected to council in an upset victory over Bud Polhill in 2014, a victory he highlights in his pitch to potential Mayoral supporters.
He was easily re-elected in 2018 and soon after ran federally for the Conservative Party of Canada in 2019 in the riding of London-Fanshawe - losing to New Democrat Lindsay Mathyssen.