Another mayoral candidate in Kamloops is due to announce a campaign in a race that’s growing five months ahead of the election.

The early candidate announcements outnumber similar announcements in most other BC cities, including all four major Okanagan municipalities.

With incumbent mayor Reid Hamer-Jackson and current councillor Mike O’Reilly announcing their intentions to run for mayor months ago with more candidates coming.

Next week, at least one candidate will put their name forward to take them on in October, alongside a slate of council candidates.

The growing list of those eyeing a campaign includes a pair of mayoral candidates and rumours of more, along with six people looking for a seat on council. After more than three years of a tumultuous term on council, at least four currently around the horseshoe are poised to run in the fall municipal election.

While other BC cities have seen some election announcements already, Kamloops is among the most active. Very few have announced so far in Kelowna, Vernon or Penticton.

Current Vernon city councillor Kari Gares told iNFOnews.ca has said she’s running for mayor, and she appears to be the only confirmed name in Vernon so far. Mayor Victor Cumming hasn’t so far announced his intentions.

Penticton mayor Julius Bloomfield has confirmed he’ll run again, and while Kelowna mayor Tom Dyas hasn’t publicly stated his intentions, he’s expected to put his name on the ballot for re-election.

There are rumours of contenders who may run against Dyas, including former MP Tracy Gray and Coun. Ron Canan. The only confirmed name in the Kelowna mayoral race, however, is business owner Emily Salsbury. For council, Trevor McAleese, who ran for the federal NDP in last year’s election, is running for council.

In West Kelowna, Mayor Gord Milsom said he won’t be running again, while current two-term councillor Stephen Johnston is vying for the mayor’s job. For council, Tasha da Silva is running for re-election.

Each of those cities is among the roughly 40 where the Conservative Electors Association now has a presence, and the organization is expected to put forth candidates in the coming months.

With just six candidates announced across the four major Okanagan cities, Kamloops outnumbers them all with eight total candidates.

Along with the two confirmed mayoral candidates, the council race will include Dale Bass and Nancy Bepple, two incumbents who have announced their intentions.

The nomination period won’t officially begin until Sept. 1, followed by election day on Oct. 17.