Saskatoon councillor Charlie Clark expected to announce mayoral run next week

Saskatoon's municipal election race is heating up.

A leaked campaign fundraising letter said Coun. Charlie Clark will be launching his formal bid for mayor next Wednesdayat noon at the Delta Bessborough.

The letter, written by Shift Development owner Curtis Olson, saidthat he's publicly supporting Clark for the mayoral position.

"I'm continually trying to push new ideas forward and continually hitting the brick wall called 'the city,'" wrote Olson.

"We need a leader in Saskatoon who can open the door to citizen engagement, new ideas and evolving policies to make our city an amazing and wonderful place."

Olson did not respond to CBC's request for comment.

It an emailed statement, Clark told CBC he would be announcing his "intentions next week".

Clark serves on a number of city committees, the Board of Police Commissioners, the Meewasin Valley Authority board and the Remai Art Gallery board. He was first elected in 2006.

Clark's main opponent will be current Mayor Don Atchison, who was elected mayor in 2003. Previously, Atchison was a long-serving city councillor.

"Right now, I am focused on ensuring families are safe and secure andto make Saskatoon a successful and prosperous city," said Atchison in a written statement."There will be lots of time this fall to campaign."

The municipal election will be held Oct. 26