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Evan H. Potter

@evanhpotter.bsky.social
532 followers 94 following 445 posts

Assoc. Professor of Communication University of Ottawa Art & science of persuasion: Strategic Coms, PR, Information Warfare, Government Coms, Political Coms, Place Branding, Public Diplomacy, Cultural Statecraft.

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Evan H. Potter @evanhpotter.bsky.social · 5h
@brigittepellerin.bsky.social & I discuss: * G&M article in which pollster puts Sutcliffe at 35% * New way of looking at campaign * Figuring out Leiper "surprise" @kengray20.bsky.social No More Jeff Leiper Talk Until the Next Public Poll cityofottawapolitics.substack.com/p/no-more-je...
cityofottawapolitics.substack.com
No More Jeff Leiper Talk Until the Next Public Poll
Brigitte Pellerin and I start to think about the future of the centre-left in Ottawa on the day after the election.
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Evan H. Potter @evanhpotter.bsky.social · 22h
@brigittepellerin.bsky.social presents new way of thinking about the mayoral election during this week's campaign talk. It's @jleiper.bsky.social and Sutcliffe (traditional politicians) versus Alex Lawson & @neilsara.bsky.social Brigitte believes change is in the air. I want to believe Brigitte
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Evan H. Potter @evanhpotter.bsky.social · 02/10/2026
Excellent piece by @theglobeandmail.com on Ottawa mayoral race. Pollster David Valentin gives nod to Mark Sutcliffe getting 2nd term with possible 35%. @shawnmenard.bsky.social @lainejohnson.bsky.social @arieltroster.bsky.social @seandevine9.bsky.social www.theglobeandmail.com/politics/art...
theglobeandmail.com
Dynamic race underway to see who will be Ottawa’s next mayor
Four top candidates are vying to prove who can best manage the city’s top issues, including homelessness, transit and municipal taxation
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Evan H. Potter @evanhpotter.bsky.social · 29/09/2026
@brigittepellerin.bsky.social and I invite one and all to come chat municipal politics with us this Friday October 2 at Big Rig in Gloucester Center. Brigitte will be there at 6:00ish. I'm not going to take a chance on transit (sorry) and drive there for 6:30.
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Evan H. Potter @evanhpotter.bsky.social · 28/09/2026
Residents of Ottawa need a new public poll on the election before October 26. We need to know the ranking of Alex Lawson among top four candidates. @kengray20.bsky.social @alexcullen.bsky.social A Tale of Mayoral Polling in Toronto and Ottawa cityofottawapolitics.substack.com/p/a-tale-of-...
cityofottawapolitics.substack.com
A Tale of Mayoral Polling in Toronto and Ottawa
The Ottawa mayoral campaign needs more independent public polling.
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Evan H. Potter @evanhpotter.bsky.social · 27/09/2026
@brigittepellerin.bsky.social & I try to figure out what's going with polling in this election. @shawnmenard.bsky.social @lainejohnson.bsky.social @arieltroster.bsky.social Seven Polls, Two Realities, and a Leiper “Surprise” that Better Be Big cityofottawapolitics.substack.com/p/seven-poll...
cityofottawapolitics.substack.com
Seven Polls, Two Realities, and a Leiper “Surprise” that Better Be Big
Why is there confusion about the polling during this election?
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Evan H. Potter @evanhpotter.bsky.social · 19/09/2026
@brigittepellerin.bsky.social isn't sure @jleiper.bsky.social wants to be Mayor. We discuss. @shawnmenard.bsky.social @seandevine9.bsky.social @lainejohnson.bsky.social @arieltroster.bsky.social @timtierney.ca Does Jeff Leiper Want the Job? cityofottawapolitics.substack.com/p/does-jeff-...
cityofottawapolitics.substack.com
Does Jeff Leiper Want the Job?
This week: The empty chair, ten councillors show loyalty to Mayor, the poll nobody will release, and the peril of the Leiper campaign announcing an upcoming ‘big surprise’ for Ottawa
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Evan H. Potter @evanhpotter.bsky.social · 19/09/2026
Who's winning digital campaign in the #ottawa mayoral race? See Mohammed Adam's article in @ottawacitizen.com @shawnmenard.bsky.social @seandevine9.bsky.social @lainejohnson.bsky.social @arieltroster.bsky.social @timtierney.ca ottawacitizen.com/opinion/mayo... substack.com/@evanhpotter...
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Evan H. Potter @evanhpotter.bsky.social · 17/09/2026
The Mayor launched his official campaign. Almost half of Council was there. The message? @shawnmenard.bsky.social @seandevine9.bsky.social @arieltroster.bsky.social Almost Half of Ottawa Council Shows Up at Mark Sutcliffe’s Campaign Launch cityofottawapolitics.substack.com/p/almost-hal...
cityofottawapolitics.substack.com
Almost Half of Ottawa Council Shows Up at Mark Sutcliffe’s Campaign Launch
The Mayor launched his re-election campaign. The more interesting story was who showed up to watch him do it.
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Evan H. Potter @evanhpotter.bsky.social · 16/09/2026
Why is the Mayor missing from this photo at student mayoral debate? A) a scheduling conflict B) vote of 18-25 yr not important C) Students not good voters D) power move to show who's boss E) All of the above What's the answer? @brigittepellerin.bsky.social @alexcullen.bsky.social
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Evan H. Potter @evanhpotter.bsky.social · 16/09/2026
Hello all you diehard Ottawa election watchers. @brigittepellerin.bsky.social & I are having a campaign chat at Irene's Pub in the Glebe at 6:00 pm, Friday Sept. 18. Come with questions. We may have answers. @shawnmenard.bsky.social @seandevine9.bsky.social substack.com/@evanhpotter...
substack.com
Evan Harold Potter (@evanhpotter)
Ottawa Election Chat at Irene’s Pub Friday, Sept. 18 • 6:00 pm • The Glebe Inviting all you die-hard Ottawa election watchers to come on down to Irene's pub in the Glebe on Friday, Sept. 18, at 6:00...
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Evan H. Potter @evanhpotter.bsky.social · 12/09/2026
With apologies to the movie, Jaws, @jleiper.bsky.social "is going to need a bigger sign." Tens of thousands of eyeballs in cars -- every day. Mark Sutcliffe's sign projects power and dominance, and Leiper's not so much. @alexcullen.bsky.social substack.com/@evanhpotter...
substack.com
Evan Harold Potter (@evanhpotter)
Battle of the Ottawa Election Signs: Election signs have many uses, but one of them is to project power.. You can do that through sheer volume—lawns covered in your signs—or by dominating the inters...
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Evan H. Potter @evanhpotter.bsky.social · 12/09/2026
@brigittepellerin.bsky.social and I talk campaign signs plus: 1. Is there a polling "conspiracy"? Probably not. 2. Are there Lawson-curious progressives? @shawnmenard.bsky.social @seandevine9.bsky.social In Praise of Election Campaign Signs cityofottawapolitics.substack.com/p/in-praise-...
cityofottawapolitics.substack.com
In Praise of Election Campaign Signs
Brigitte and I talk about the following: The meaning of campaign signs, Jeff Leiper’s upcoming surprise announcement, polling conspiracy theories, and a reverse Bernie Sanders
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Evan H. Potter @evanhpotter.bsky.social · 12/09/2026
#Ottawa election signs are up. Give Team Sutcliffe points for the perfect location of their sign at the intersection of Bank and Chamberlain. Everyone driving through the Glebe will see it. Saw @shawnmenard.bsky.social signs well represented. substack.com/@evanhpotter...
substack.com
Evan Harold Potter (@evanhpotter)
Election signs are up in Ottawa. There’s not exactly a lot of love lost between the Mayor and certain quarters of the Glebe (Lansdowne 2.0 and all that). But his sign was perfectly located at a critic...
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Evan H. Potter @evanhpotter.bsky.social · 10/09/2026
What makes Alex Lawson tick? I go to his HQ to find out. It turns out he's becoming @jleiper.bsky.social best unintentional political friend. My latest mayoral profile.... Alex Lawson is a Very Happy Political Camper cityofottawapolitics.substack.com/p/alex-lawso...
cityofottawapolitics.substack.com
Alex Lawson is a Very Happy Political Camper
What’s making this improbable political winner tick?
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Evan H. Potter @evanhpotter.bsky.social · 09/09/2026
Toronto/Ottawa mayoral campaigns: Toronto: Chow opens up 11 pt lead on Bradbury Ottawa: We're waiting for @ipolitics.bsky.social to release Capital Tracker poll. Key questions: 1. Is Lawson at 25% 2. Does Sutcliffe still have 10 pt lead @shawnmenard.bsky.social @lainejohnson.bsky.social
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Evan H. Potter @evanhpotter.bsky.social · 05/09/2026
I tell @brigittepellerin.bsky.social it's game over for @jleiper.bsky.social unless 2 things happen at same time: 1. he has incredible ground game. 2 Alex Lawson hits 27-29% @neilsara.bsky.social Why is Mark Sutcliffe Running Against Himself? cityofottawapolitics.substack.com/p/why-is-mar...
cityofottawapolitics.substack.com
Why is Mark Sutcliffe Running Against Himself?
This week on the campaign: two things now have to happen for a Jeff Leiper win, power of candidate debates, the Mayor’s safety czar, Alex Lawson’s free parking, Neil Saravanamuttoo-curious in Orleans
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Evan H. Potter @evanhpotter.bsky.social · 03/09/2026
What do these three men have in common and why could it affect the #Ottawa mayoral race? Well, that's a wee bit exaggerated. But read on...a candidate who has "a look" helps a campaign. It's just a natural voter reaction. @brigittepellerin.bsky.social substack.com/@evanhpotter...
substack.com
Evan Harold Potter (@evanhpotter)
I was in Orléans yesterday talking to residents about the mayoral race. A surprising number seemed genuinely Saravanamuttoo-curious. He’d broken through. They used words like “young” and “handsome.” ...
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Evan H. Potter @evanhpotter.bsky.social · 03/09/2026
Great launch party for @jchianello.bsky.social yesterday. Feels like a winning campaign. If Chianello wins, she will be one of only a few new members of Ottawa Council. @shawnmenard.bsky.social @lainejohnson.bsky.social @seandevine9.bsky.social @timtierney.ca www.youtube.com/watch?v=l4Pb...
youtube.com
Joanne Chianello for Kitchissippi
YouTube video by bellscorners
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Evan H. Potter @evanhpotter.bsky.social · 31/08/2026
@jleiper.bsky.social road to victory runs through ground game. @shawnmenard.bsky.social @lainejohnson.bsky.social @seandevine9.bsky.social @arieltroster.com @timtierney.ca If Jeff Leiper Can’t Electrify the Race, Can His Ground Game Save Him? cityofottawapolitics.substack.com/p/if-jeff-le...
cityofottawapolitics.substack.com
If Jeff Leiper Can’t Electrify the Race, Can His Ground Game Save Him?
If there’s no Leiper surge coming, his campaign will have to manufacture one, door by door.
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Evan H. Potter @evanhpotter.bsky.social · 29/08/2026
campaign discussion @brigittepellerin.bsky.social This isn't “change election”unless 4-way mayoral race makes it one. @shawnmenard.bsky.social @lainejohnson.bsky.social@ Four Theories of the Election, the RTO Sleeper, and Inputs vs. Conversions cityofottawapolitics.substack.com/p/four-theor...
cityofottawapolitics.substack.com
Four Theories of the Election, the RTO Sleeper, and Inputs vs. Conversions
This is not a “change election” – unless the mayoral race makes it one.
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Evan H. Potter @evanhpotter.bsky.social · 29/08/2026
@brigittepellerin.bsky.social and I are pretty sure that #ottcity could do more to match local employers with local talent. Alex Lawson is on "right track" with the release of his proposal to stimulate local employment. Our weekly Ottawa election chat comes out today.
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Evan H. Potter @evanhpotter.bsky.social · 27/08/2026
Packed house at Nepean Sportsplex (Hall A) for first mayoral debate. Seven candidates showed up, including two of the front-runners -- @neilsara.bsky.social @jleiper.bsky.social Not sure about format, though. Doesn't feel like a debate when people have prepared answers. #ottpoli
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Evan H. Potter @evanhpotter.bsky.social · 23/08/2026
Some members of Ottawa Council may be scratching their heads. I explain to @brigittepellerin.bsky.social why I think Chris Alexander (Toronto) & @neilsara.bsky.social are talking about international issues during municipal election. @arieltroster.com @lainejohnson.bsky.social @timtierney.ca
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Evan H. Potter @evanhpotter.bsky.social · 22/08/2026
Lots for me & @brigittepellerin.bsky.social to discuss. * Council starts to take shape with 2 elected * @neilsara.bsky.social gets recognized * Mayor's BBQ @alexcullen.bsky.social Deadline Day: Two Acclamations, One Spoiler, and a Cold Hot Dog cityofottawapolitics.substack.com/p/deadline-d...
cityofottawapolitics.substack.com
Deadline Day: Two Acclamations, One Spoiler, and a Cold Hot Dog
Is the 2026 Ottawa municipal election going to be a “change election”?
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Evan H. Potter @evanhpotter.bsky.social · 21/08/2026
I attended OC Transpo information session in Orleans. Star attraction: GM Rick Leary * Residents frustrated with system * Leary gave thoughtful answers. * He wouldn't be pushed on line extension until he talks to Council @catherinekitts.bsky.social @lauradudas.bsky.social @jleiper.bsky.social
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Evan H. Potter @evanhpotter.bsky.social · 21/08/2026
We're approaching 2:00 pm EST deadline. Up to 4 candidates will be acclaimed for #ottawa election. People ask whether @neilsara.bsky.social will be kingmaker for @jleiper.bsky.social After 2:00 pm today, his name stays on the ballot even if he decides to drop out. @brigittepellerin.bsky.social
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Evan H. Potter @evanhpotter.bsky.social · 20/08/2026
Former Rideau-Vanier Councilor Mathieu Fleury is endorsing the Mayor. His letter is measured & thoughtful. He's an asset for Sutcliffe campaign. He may also be looking at 2030. @seandevine9.bsky.social @shawnmenard.bsky.social @lainejohnson.bsky.social substack.com/@evanhpotter...
substack.com
Evan Harold Potter (@evanhpotter)
Former Rideau-Vanier Councilor Mathieu Fleury (2010-2022) endorses Mark Sutcliffe. Fleury's letter of endorsement is a stark contrast from John Baird's attack letter on Alex Lawson and @Jeff Leiper. ...
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Evan H. Potter @evanhpotter.bsky.social · 19/08/2026
@arieltroster.com right on points 1 and 3. But on point 2: A. Toronto Councilor salary $170,000 vs $120,000 for Ottawa Councilor B. Toronto wards have twice as many residents Election not best time to talk salary. @brigittepellerin.bsky.social
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Evan H. Potter @evanhpotter.bsky.social · 17/08/2026
Mayor Sutcliffe has argued that the way to bring riders back to OC Transpo is to make the system more reliable, not cheaper. Now, 2 months before an election, he proposes making it much cheaper. How will @jleiper.bsky.social @neilsara.bsky.social respond? www.cbc.ca/news/canada/...
cbc.ca
Sutcliffe to make campaign pledge for $95 monthly adult transit passes | CBC News
Mark Sutcliffe will make the first major policy announcement of his re-election bid on Monday, releasing a transit platform that includes a pledge to cut the cost of OC Transpo's adult monthly pass by...
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Evan H. Potter @evanhpotter.bsky.social · 17/08/2026
How the City of Ottawa communicates with residents comes up frequently during this election (e.g., floods) @brigittepellerin.bsky.social & I discuss during our weekly campaign chat. @lainejohnson.bsky.social @arieltroster.com @shawnmenard.bsky.social @seandevine9.bsky.social @jleiper.bsky.social
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Evan H. Potter @evanhpotter.bsky.social · 16/08/2026
People want to know if @neilsara.bsky.social will drop out of mayoral race to prevent fragmentation of Centre-Left vote. @brigittepellerin.bsky.social & I give Neil some free advice. Put Yourself in Neil Saravanamuttoo's Shoes cityofottawapolitics.substack.com/p/put-yourse...
cityofottawapolitics.substack.com
Put Yourself in Neil Saravanamuttoo's Shoes
The mayoral campaign is past the half-way mark and it looks like this will be a four-way contest.
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Evan H. Potter @evanhpotter.bsky.social · 16/08/2026
I went to Mayor’s Annual BBQ looking for a little politics. I came away with lesson in what #ottcity actually does for the residents of Ottawa. @shawnmenard.bsky.social @arieltroster.com Did I Attend Mark Sutcliffe’s Final Mayor’s Barbecue? cityofottawapolitics.substack.com/p/did-i-atte...
cityofottawapolitics.substack.com
Did I Attend Mark Sutcliffe’s Final Mayor’s Barbecue?
I went to the Mayor's BBQ and discovered vital municipal services.
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Evan H. Potter @evanhpotter.bsky.social · 11/08/2026
@neilsara.bsky.social is posting very effective political marketing ads. The key is their ability to show contrast. In this case, his ad forces us to think about @jleiper.bsky.social raising taxes -- never a good thing in an election. @jleiper.bsky.social substack.com/@evanhpotter...
substack.com
Evan Harold Potter (@evanhpotter)
Neil Saravanamuttoo has cut another very effective political ad. Too bad it isn’t running on local television stations. But it should get penetration on all socials. In 14 seconds, he does something e...
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Evan H. Potter @evanhpotter.bsky.social · 11/08/2026
How the City of Ottawa communicates with its residents has come up for repeated criticism by the Mayor's challengers. Is it all spin? City Hall Is Supposed To Tell You What You Need to Know When You Need To Know It cityofottawapolitics.substack.com/p/city-hall-...
cityofottawapolitics.substack.com
City Hall Is Supposed To Tell You What You Need to Know When You Need To Know It
Public communicators have to use the techniques of public relations to do their jobs, but this doesn't mean that what they do is "spin."
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Evan H. Potter @evanhpotter.bsky.social · 10/08/2026
2/ @kengray20.bsky.social political description of the city of Ottawa hits nail on head: .."you’d think it [Ottawa] would be very liberal, which it is in provincial and federal elections... #ottpoli Lawson Gives Voters What They Want: CHANGE THING bulldogottawa.com/lawson-is-th...
bulldogottawa.com
Lawson Gives Voters What They Want: CHANGE THING - THE BULLDOG
Aug. 9, 2026: Mayoral candidate Alex Lawson's rise from nowhere to second place in the polls is not without precedent. Lawson, a right-winger, had no
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Evan H. Potter @evanhpotter.bsky.social · 09/08/2026
Can you become Mayor of Ottawa with 32%? 3-way race with @neilsara.bsky.social as 4th candidate & Sutcliffe under 40% means this is a change election. @brigittepellerin.bsky.social & I discuss. How to Become Mayor of Ottawa with 32% of the Vote cityofottawapolitics.substack.com/p/how-to-bec...
cityofottawapolitics.substack.com
How to Become Mayor of Ottawa with 32% of the Vote
Can the mayoral campaigns tap into Ottawa's "rizz" vote?
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Evan H. Potter @evanhpotter.bsky.social · 08/08/2026
Is @jleiper.bsky.social connecting with the broader Ottawa electorate? @brigittepellerin.bsky.social shares a very balanced perspective with me during our weekly chat. I wonder what Leiper's fellow Councillors think?
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Evan H. Potter @evanhpotter.bsky.social · 06/08/2026
Lessons from Michigan for Ottawa polling: Data guru Nate Silver reminds us that polling error depends on type of election. Low-turnout municipal races are notoriously difficult to poll. That's why next Capital Tracker poll is indispensable snapshot of Ottawa voters. substack.com/@evanhpotter...
substack.com
Evan Harold Potter (@evanhpotter)
Lessons from Michigan for Ottawa municipal election polling: Data guru Nate Silver makes an important point in his discussion of this week’s Michigan Democratic Senate primary. Polling error isn't con...
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Evan H. Potter @evanhpotter.bsky.social · 03/08/2026
@brigittepellerin.bsky.social provides a thoughtful and detailed take on why Mark Sutcliffe could be a one-term mayor. Brigitte made this prediction 3 years ago and returns to it in this video. @shawnmenard.bsky.social @seandevine9.bsky.social @lainejohnson.bsky.social @arieltroster.com
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Evan H. Potter @evanhpotter.bsky.social · 02/08/2026
This week in #ottawa campaign: @brigittepellerin.bsky.social doesn't hold back. She's got choice words. Back to 4-way mayoral race. @shawnmenard.bsky.social @lainejohnson.bsky.social @arieltroster.com Some Eye-Rolling Developments in the Mayoral Campaign open.substack.com/pub/cityofot...
open.substack.com
Some Eye-Rolling Developments in the Mayoral Campaign
Lisa MacLeod is out and there's no real mystery so far in the mayoral contest.
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Evan H. Potter @evanhpotter.bsky.social · 01/08/2026
@mirgray.bsky.social It's highly doubtful.
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Evan H. Potter @evanhpotter.bsky.social · 01/08/2026
Nerding out on the Ottawa election campaign trail. @brigittepellerin.bsky.social and I discuss my recent visit to a @neilsara.bsky.social event.
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Evan H. Potter @evanhpotter.bsky.social · 01/08/2026
It was an early exit. Door #2. A bit of a head-scratcher but we're not in her shoes. @kegli.bsky.social
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Evan H. Potter @evanhpotter.bsky.social · 31/07/2026
Lisa MacLeod has 3 options: 1. become candidate 2. exit stage left 3. endorse a candidate Best option is to run. @neilsara.bsky.social @shawnmenard.bsky.social @seandevine9.bsky.social @lainejohnson.bsky.social It May Be Hard for Lisa MacLeod to Say No open.substack.com/pub/cityofot...
open.substack.com
It May Be Hard for Lisa MacLeod to Say No
She would be a "disruptor" in the mayoral campaign.
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Evan H. Potter @evanhpotter.bsky.social · 30/07/2026
Lisa MacLeod tells @kengray20.bsky.social on LinkedIn that Mayor has lost her support for 2026 race. A breadcrumb into her thinking. CBC/CTV radio & TV will likely only cover her if she files her nomination papers. If she does, it's new race. @neilsara.bsky.social @shawnmenard.bsky.social
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Evan H. Potter @evanhpotter.bsky.social · 29/07/2026
In that case, Keith, there's an option. He has a long last name. No one should turn blind eye to what's going to be 90 days of personal attacks. Right or Left, residents & Councillors (incumbent & retired) can't condone this type of politics. It needs to be called out. @kegli.bsky.social
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Evan H. Potter @evanhpotter.bsky.social · 29/07/2026
Councillor @arieltroster.com you're now officially "radicalized" by our Mayor. He's opened up battle front with you. T-shirt is great idea. "Radical Councillors" should show up to Chamber with T-shirt on. We'll let @shawnmenard.bsky.social @seandevine9.bsky.social respond as they see fit.
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Evan H. Potter @evanhpotter.bsky.social · 29/07/2026
Another day, another fundraising letter from M. Sutclffe. This will be very negative campaign. Mayor now targeting "other radical Councillors" through Meilleur. Who exactly: @shawnmenard.bsky.social @seandevine9.bsky.social @arieltroster.com Jessica Bradley ??? substack.com/@evanhpotter...
substack.com
Evan Harold Potter (@evanhpotter)
Madeleine Meilleur, a longtime Ottawa-area Liberal politician and francophone-rights advocate who also supported Mark Sutcliffe’s 2022 bid to become mayor, has sent out fundraising letter. I attach ex...
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Evan H. Potter @evanhpotter.bsky.social · 29/07/2026
Things change: Lisa MacLeod's full endorsement of M. Sutcliffe in early Oct 2022. Does she now have team to unseat him in 90 days? Which prominent people will endorse her? Will Sutcliffe aligned personality discourage her? @kegli.bsky.social @shawnmenard.bsky.social @seandevine9.bsky.social
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