Howard Epstein won’t be running for mayor of HRM.

But that doesn’t mean he doesn’t have opinions on those who have announced their candidacy ‘ or soon will be.

“(Mike) Savage is an interesting candidate. He’s a very unknown quantity at the municipal level so far,” Epstein said on Sunday.

“I know people have respect for him and think that he’s a nice guy. But I’ve never heard him say a single word (on) any municipal issue ever.”

Epstein said he’s hoping for good things from Savage, who is expected to announce his candidacy for mayor at Alderney Landing on Monday at 12:15 p.m.

“Until we have a good close look at him, the most you can say is that he won’t be Peter Kelly. On the other hand, he might turn out to be.”

Epstein ended months of speculation on Friday, when he announced he will not be seeking Kelly’s job in the election this October.

Epstein, an NDP backbencher, would have to resign his seat to run in the election. He said that after much deliberation, he felt continuing on as a provincial representative was the right thing to do.

He said the decision had nothing to do with the number of people already in the race for mayor ‘ or his chances.

“I have a serious job as an MLA. I’m going to keep focusing on that,” he said.

Epstein, a former municipal councillor, will also be encouraging about “half a dozen” potential candidates for council seats.

“I decided the best way to advance my interests (at city hall) was to look for good candidates to run for the council seats,” he explained. “What goes on in the mayor’s office is important, but even more important is the composition of the full council.”