Tony Fiacco, brother of former Regina mayor Pat Fiacco, running for office this fall

Tony Fiacco hopes to follow in the footsteps of his younger brother Pat by becoming Regina's mayor.

Fiacco officially threw his hat in the ring for the Oct. 26 municipal election at the Italian Club in Regina on Monday.

"I am truly passionate about this city and everyone who lives here. That is why I am running," said Fiacco.

He didn't reveal any election promises during his campaign announcement Monday morning, saying repeatedly "that's something that we'll bring forth in our platform." 

In a short speech from the podium he gave a hint at what is driving him to seek the mayor's job.

"As a business owner, I recently saw an article that concerned me," he said. "The article listed the top cities to do business in Canada. Both Saskatoon and Moose Jaw were listed in the top 10, but Regina wasn't."

Fiacco has previous experience running for political office.

He ran for the SaskParty in the 2007 and 2011 provincial elections in the Regina Rosemont riding.

Both times he was beaten by current NDP MLA Trent Wotherspoon.

He said he is planning on using that experience and his former election team this time around.

'Elephant in the room'

Fiacco called his relation to his brother Pat "the elephant in the room."

He said he is cut from the cloth as his brother, who is seven years his junior, but that he has walked a different path. 

"My campaign is run solely based on the current state of the city of Regina and how I feel I can help. Not on the legacy of our last name," he said.

So far Fiacco is the only person, other than current mayor Michael Fougere, to announce their bid for mayor in the fall election.