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SYDNEY, N.S. — A prominent Nova Scotia mayor who came out as gay this week after someone allegedly threatened to out him has declared his intention to lead the provincial Tories.

Cape Breton Mayor Cecil Clarke says the packed hall of supporters at a Saturday event kicking off his campaign to lead the Progressive Conservatives reassured him that he handled the matter the right way.

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After sharing details about his private life in a radio interview Thursday, Clarke said he felt great pride as he formally announced he was entering the race at the North Sydney Firefighters Club on Saturday afternoon.

“I think it really puts out that for the wider public to know exactly who I am, and what I stand for, and what I represent as a person … I wasn’t going to do that under any basis of hate or attack,” Clarke said in a phone interview Saturday.

“The outpouring of support from all of Nova Scotia told me that I dealt with it the right way, and I believe Nova Scotians have responded in the right way.”