Brandon Mayor Rick Chrest won't seek re-election this October

Brandon will have a new mayor this fall.

Rick Chrest announced Friday morning he won't be seeking re-election.

Chrest, 62, was first elected mayor of Brandon in 2014, after serving as a city councillor for more than a decade.

In a statement, Chrest said he wants to spend more time with his family, including his first granddaughter.

He is extremely proud of how the Brandon community has pulled together through the COVID-19 pandemic, he said.

"The loss of lives, the unfavourable impacts on business and livelihoods and citizens' mental health has been extremely tragic," he wrote.

"However I've also witnessed the most profound display of the resiliency of the human spirit.It's been a privilege to be the mayor of a community who has generally been constructive, caring and kind through all of this."

Brandon residents will elect a new mayor on Oct. 26, when municipal elections take place in Manitoba.