As the 2023 territorial election campaign slowly begins to chug along, it should be noted that not every riding this year has a race.

Three constituencies SA国际影视传媒� Yellowknife South, Kam Lake and Monfwi SA国际影视传媒� saw its candidates acclaimed as no one else but them entered the race. That means Caroline Wawzonek, Caitlin Cleveland and Jane Weyallon Armstrong essentially won without a fight and will return as the MLA for their respective ridings.

SA国际影视传媒 had the chance to speak with Wawzonek minutes after the candidate list was finalized by Elections NWT on Oct. 20. She had just received confirmation that she was acclaimed and she will serve a second term as the MLA for Yellowknife South.

SA国际影视传媒淚 was making plans to run SA国际影视传媒� we had our team set for a few months beforehand and we had our signs ready,SA国际影视传媒� she said. SA国际影视传媒淲e were fully prepared and all we were doing in the last few days leading up to the deadline was wondering if we had to buy some extra materials, but turns out we didnSA国际影视传媒檛 have to.SA国际影视传媒�

Depending on who you talk to, winning by acclamation could be taken in different ways. For Wawzonek, sheSA国际影视传媒檚 taking it as a vote of confidence.

SA国际影视传媒淧olitics is never a profession you want to take for granted because things can change very quickly,SA国际影视传媒� she said. SA国际影视传媒淭he doors that I knocked on (before acclamation), all of the conversations were positive and so thereSA国际影视传媒檃 a bit of humility involved when youSA国际影视传媒檙e acclaimed.

SA国际影视传媒淚t sure takes a lot of stress off, thatSA国际影视传媒檚 for sure,SA国际影视传媒� she added with a laugh.

Acclaimed candidates donSA国际影视传媒檛 have much to do except prepare for their next term in office, but Wawzonek wonSA国际影视传媒檛 be without work. Even though sheSA国际影视传媒檚 not an MLA, she is still legally a member of cabinet as the Minister of Finance; Industry, Tourism and Development; and Status of Women. The new cabinet wonSA国际影视传媒檛 be chosen until the Territorial Leadership Committee meets once the new assembly is sworn in.

She also plans to keep knocking on doors to talk to residents in her riding.

SA国际影视传媒淓very day, ISA国际影视传媒檓 opening my laptop because the business of government never ends,SA国际影视传媒� she said. SA国际影视传媒淚SA国际影视传媒檒l still be going around to every door and ISA国际影视传媒檒l attend some of the candidateSA国际影视传媒檚 forums to talk and listen. I wonSA国际影视传媒檛 take away from those who are running, but just to see where people are on the issues and help people understand whatSA国际影视传媒檚 happening.SA国际影视传媒�

Wawzonek said she wants a second term in the executive.

But will she run for the premierSA国际影视传媒檚 chair? The response was a bit non-committal.

SA国际影视传媒淚 have to see whoSA国际影视传媒檚 looking to put their name forward for that,SA国际影视传媒� she said. SA国际影视传媒淚 will say I would like to be on cabinet again. There were a lot of challenges and emotions in my first term, but I really valued the role of being a minister. I saw some change internally within my departments and that demonstrates trust, so ISA国际影视传媒檇 like to keep working on that.SA国际影视传媒�