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Welcome to Election Extra! An election is underway for mayors, city councillors, school trustees and other municipal officers in Winnipeg and across the province. You’re receiving this email because you signed up for our election-focused newsletter — possibly during a previous election campaign.
Each Wednesday, I’ll provide some observations and a weekly wrap of what’s happened on the campaign trail, sent straight to your inbox.
Nominations are now closed for candidates, who had to file their nomination papers with the city clerk’s office by 4:30 pm Tuesday. There are 12 candidates vying for mayor and multiple ones running for councillor in the city’s 15 wards. The election now begins in earnest!
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Not that there haven’t been significant developments in the weeks leading up to the close of nominations.
Most notably, the decision of former city councillor and provincial cabinet minister Kevin Klein to run for mayor spiced up that race considerably.
Until then, incumbent Mayor Scott Gillingham was up against a group of largely unknown or inexperienced candidates. Defeating an incumbent mayor hasn’t happened in Winnipeg since the 1950s and until Klein tossed his hat into the ring, it appeared Gillingham was a shoo-in.
An Abacus Data poll released last week showed Gillingham with a considerable lead. But it also found more than half of respondents said they were undecided.
Meanwhile, Winnipeg city councillor Russ Wyatt, who faces sexual assault charges, has decided to seek re-election, drawing widespread criticism from those who say he should step down.
The election is scheduled for Oct. 28.
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