This week marks the final opportunity for candidates in Windsor’s municipal election to submit their paperwork. The current slate of nominations indicates that two wards in the city may see uncontested victories.
As of the latest update on Monday, both Ward 1 and Ward 9 have only one candidate listed on their ballots. If no additional candidates emerge by the end of Friday, Darcie Renaud in Ward 1 and Kieran McKenzie in Ward 9 will secure their council seats uncontested.
It has been over 30 years since Windsor City Hall witnessed a city councillor winning by acclamation. However, on the upcoming election day of Oct. 26, there is a possibility of two councillors being acclaimed.
Kieran McKenzie, the incumbent councillor for Ward 9, emphasized the importance of increased participation in the democratic process for a robust democracy. Ward 9, which holds the second largest voter base in the city, spans from the Roseland area in the west to the airport area and beyond in the east, encompassing the site of the upcoming mega-hospital.
McKenzie, who is seeking his third term as Ward 9’s councillor, highlighted the significance of managing growth in residential, commercial, and industrial sectors within the ward. Despite the lack of opposition, McKenzie reiterated that his campaign strategy remains unchanged.
In Ward 1, Fred Francis has served as councillor since 2014 and is now running for mayor after three terms. Darcie Renaud, the sole candidate for Ward 1, expressed her commitment to earning her council seat through dedicated campaigning efforts.
While Wards 1 and 9 face uncontested races, the other eight wards in the city offer multiple choices for voters. Notably, Ward 5 and Ward 6 each boast five candidates vying for council seats, excluding incumbents Ed Sleiman and Jo-Anne Gignac, who have opted not to seek re-election.
The mayoral race is the most crowded with seven candidates, including Fred Francis. Incumbent mayor Drew Dilkens has yet to declare his intentions but has observed a lower candidate turnout compared to previous elections. The nomination deadline is set for Friday, Aug. 21, at 2 p.m.