A new name has been added to one of Chatham's Wards ahead of the municipality's election.
Paulo Graciano is running in Ward 8, hoping to represent people living in the southern part of the city.
Originally from Angola, he moved to Chatham-Kent (CK) five years ago.
Graciano told CK News Today he's running because he wants the next council to be more multicultural.
"I'll bring some kind of new perspective with a wide range of personal and professional experience, and I'll basically contribute greatly to the growth of the [municipality]," he explained.
If elected, Graciano would like to find ways to attract more young people to the area and encourage them to stay long-term.
"We need to [entice] our young generation to stay and not to leave. What I propose to do is use the resources of the city to find a way to attract young people to stay with us," added Graciano.
Despite not having any political experience, Graciano believes he's the best person for the job. His way of proving this is promising he won't be a councillor people only see and hear from during meetings.
"I'll be open to all the community members, to listen to them. [I'll] be somebody who's walking around just to see if everything is fine," said Graciano.
CK's election will be on October 26, 2026.
