Head to head, again

Larry Di Ianni is running for mayor and will make the formal announcement on Monday

It's a heavyweight rematch of the 2006 race, but this time with Fred Eisenberger the incumbent and Di Ianni the challenger

The Spectator takes a look at the records, successes and defeats of two Hamilton leaders fighting for another term in office

THE CAMPAIGNS

Then:

Di Ianni came into the 2006 race a clear front-runner. Though a serious challenger emerged in Eisenberger when he registered to run, the sense among the community was that the race was Di Ianni's to lose

Eisenberger ran a spartan campaign, raising only $28,000, refusing corporate and union donations and turning to social media such as YouTube to get his message across. Di Ianni's high-profile campaign cost $236,000 with more than half the cost going toward advertising, brochures and signs. Eisenberger ran on an integrity platform, while Di Ianni relied on his record as mayor and urged residents to stay the course

There was some tension between the two campaigns, with Di Ianni's campaign manager accusing Eisenberger of poaching ideas from Di Ianni's platform

Other candidates:

Pot advocate Michael Baldasaro; evangelical Christian Diane Elms; tool-and-die supervisor Gino Speziale; patent and trademark lawyer Steve Leach; Martin Zuliniak, son of former Dundas councillor John Zuliniak

Now:

This time, Di Ianni is the challenger and Eisenberger the incumbent

When Eisenberger registered earlier this year, he had little competition. Several high-profile contenders, including Ancaster Councillor Lloyd Ferguson and former beer baroness Teresa Cascioli, decided not to run against him. That changed when rumours of Di Ianni's candidacy began circulating in May

Unlike the last race, both men now have a track record as mayor and their share of successes and failures. Both men are veteran campaigners, each with several council runs, multiple mayoral campaigns and unsuccessful runs for a federal seat (Di Ianni for the Liberals, Eisenberger for the Tories) under their belts. Residents can expect old tensions and new battles to surface between the pair. Which candidate will be able to more effectively fundraise? And who will garner the support of key community groups such as the Chamber of Commerce?

The outcome of the stadium location debate looms large over the campaign, particularly for Eisenberger. For Di Ianni, is the damage from the campaign expense convictions behind him?

Other candidates: Graphic artist Andrew Haines; online activist Mahesh Butani; property manager Glenn Hamilton; pot advocate Michael Baldasaro; blogger Edward Graydon

LARRY DI IANNI

Born: 1948, Villetta Barrea, Italy

Married: 38 years Children: Three

Profession before politics: Educator and school principal

Political experience

Councillor for the former city of Stoney Creek for 18 years; Hamilton mayor from 2003 to 2006

Highs: Di Ianni was the first mayor to land money from the province to offset the city's high cost of social services. He also secured $20 million in provincial money for the Glanbrook Industrial park. He championed several key initiatives that were completed during Eisenberger's term, including the Red Hill Expressway and protecting the Lister Block

Lows: Di Ianni's 2006 mayoral campaign was played out against the backdrop of his guilty plea for violations of elections financing laws. City Hall watchers have argued that Di Ianni paid the price for an OPP probe into Councillor Sam Merulla that surfaced one week before the election, and that Di Ianni was held responsible for all of the alleged ethical lapses at City Hall. Di Ianni also backed the failed bid for the Maple Leaf pork processing plant. He told the company he could deliver a council majority in favour of the land purchase. He did, ultimately, but it was too late to save the deal

What he has said about Eisenberger:

"I knew he was a feisty competitor. I didn't take anything too lightly. We worked pretty hard."

-- Di Ianni, speaking to The Spectator after his defeat in 2006

FRED EISENBERGER

Born: 1952, Amsterdam, Netherlands

Married: 32 years Children: Two

Profession before politics: Real estate agent, planning consultant

Political experience

Councillor from 1991 to 2000; mayor from 2006 to present

Highs: Eisenberger landed the Lister Block deal, saving one of Hamilton's most high-profile heritage buildings. He has benefited from recessionary spending from upper levels of government, including $200 million for water and wastewater and $30 million for cleaning up Randle Reef. The Pan Am Games were awarded during his term. He also secured Hamilton's first integrity commissioner

Lows: It took time for Eisenberger to adjust to the role. His first year in office saw antics around the council table, complaints about his lack of leadership and several major staff changes. Eisenberger has consistently lost votes -- even on minor issues like naturalizing medians -- and often fails to secure council support. Eisenberger has been a staunch advocate of the west harbour for the Pan Am stadium and the Tiger-Cats refusal to accept that location has been a significant political blow. Follow this link for the best advice regarding digital printing Melbourne.

Eisenberger was also the subject of an integrity investigation after his taped off-the-record conversation with Spectator columnist Andrew Dreschel was leaked to other media

What he has said about Di Ianni:

" ... Larry was one of the primary reasons I got into politics in the first place. Twenty years ago I was trying to sell a house that Larry owned at the time. We got to talking about politics and my aspirations."

-- Eisenberger, speaking to The Spectator after his 2006 victory