Former Dudley Council leader Pete Lowe considering West Midlands Mayoral bid
A former Dudley Council leader is set for a tilt at becoming Labour's candidate for the next West Midlands Mayor.
Councillor Pete Lowe stepped down from his role as leader of the authority in November, saying he wanted to concentrate on "other political priorities".
Now it appears he is shaping up to challenge Conservative Mayor Andy Street at the next mayoral election in May 2020.
The councillor for Lye and Stourbridge North is also Labour's parliamentary candidate for Stourbridge and a national trade union officer for Managers in Partnership with the NHS.
Asked by the Express & Star if he was considering putting himself forward as a Mayoral candidate, he said: "I'm currently having discussions with a number of people.
"It is essential we have a Labour Mayor to pick up and do the work that Andy Street simply has not been able to do.
"I'm certainly not ruling myself out."
Former John Lewis boss Mr Street won the inaugural West Midlands Mayor election in 2017, beating Labour candidate Siôn Simon in the final round by 50.4 per cent to 49.6 per cent.
He has already confirmed he plans to stand again next year.
Labour's National Executive Committee is expected to open the selection process for the party's candidate for 2020 in the coming weeks.
Should Mr Lowe put himself forward he is expected to receive union backing. Potential challengers include Birmingham MP Liam Byrne.
