Who is running in the municipal election in Waterloo Region

The deadline is Friday for mayoral and councillor candidate nominations ahead of the municipal election.

Those interested in a seat on one of Waterloo Region’s seven municipal councils, regional council and school boards have until 2:00 p.m. that day to get their paperwork in.

Election day is Monday, October 26.

A reminder no names for Regional Chair will be on the ballot. The province announced it would appoint the position back in the spring.

Five of the region’s seven mayors are seeking reelection this term. In Woolwich and North Dumfries, mayors Sandy Shantz and Sue Foxton announced they would not be running again.

Here are some of the highlights heading into the nomination deadline on Friday, August 21:

Kitchener

In Kitchener, one mayor and 10 councillors will be elected. Kitchener residents will also vote for four regional councillors.

There are seven candidates vying for the role of mayor, including current mayor Berry Vrbanovic as well as George Trihenea, David Alton, Cindy Ward, Wali Khan, Manikantan Nair and Wazhma Frogh.

All but one of the current councillors are seeking re-election. Back in May, Ward 5 Councillor Ayo Owodunni announced he would not be running again in order to spend more time with his family, most notably after his wife’s business expanded out of Canada.

Ward 5 happens to have the most candidates nominated so far, with at least nine names to be on the ballot.

For regional representation, at least 13 options will be before voters. Current councillors Joe Gowing, Michael Harris, Colleen James, and Matt Rodrigues are all seeking reelection.

Waterloo

In Waterloo, Dorothy McCabe is seeking reelection, with Shannon Weber another candidate for the role.

On the final day for nomination submissions, three additional candidates came forward including Jeyas Balaskanthan, Jamie Hari, and Jerry Jiang.

There are seven city councillor positions up for grabs.

Ward 2 Councillor Royce Bodaly and Ward 5 Councillor Jen Vasic are the only two members of the current council not looking to come back for another term.

Councillor Julie Wright was the only name on the ballot for Ward 7 up until the final moment, when Abdullah announced their intent to also run for the councillor position on the last day for nominations.

When it comes to Regional Council, Waterloo residents will be represented by two councillors. Current regional councillors Jim Erb and Chantal Huinink are both seeking reelection.

Cambridge

One mayor, eight city councillors, and two regional councillors will be elected in Cambridge.

Mayor Jan Liggett is once again running for the position with six other names on the ballot including Councillor Scott Hamilton, Ryan Bolender, Ihtsham Haq, Tony Chaves, Shahzada Khan and Ken Roche who filed on the Friday of the nomination deadline on August 21.

Brian Kennedy dropped out of the race due to a sudden loss in the family.

Ward 7 will see change in October, with Councillor Scott Hamilton running for mayor, there are five people listed to run so far.

All of the other current councillors are running again, with at least two candidates for each ward.

Doug Craig and Pam Wolf will be seeking another term on Regional Council. There are five people to choose from as of one day before the nomination deadline.

Woolwich

There will be a new mayor in the Township of Woolwich come October.

Mayor Sandy Shantz announced in April she would not be running to spend more time with family and friends.

There are four people vying for the job, including two current councillors Evan Burgess and Eric Schwindt. Chane Ballantyne and Glen Fern are also running for the role.

There are multiple candidates for the five township councillor roles.

North Dumfries

More change in the townships is coming. Mayor Sue Foxton announced she would not be running for reelection.

Current Councillor Rod Rolleman is running for the title, along with Terry Knarr, Prabhjap Sandhu and Travis Knox.

Four councillors will also be elected. They will not included however Ward 4 Councillor Scott Tilley who withdrew their application.

Wilmot

Wilmot Mayor Natasha Salonen is seeking another term as Township Mayor. She will be going up against a colleague, current Councillor Kris Wilkinson. Stephanie Goertz and Clive Woolner are also looking for the title.

Wilkinson’s Ward 2 is up for grabs with three candidates to be on the ballot.

Steven Martin is once again running for Ward 4, Harvir Sidhu looking for reelection in Ward 3, but Councillor Lillianne Dunstall is not running again.

Wellesley

In Wellesley, Mayor Joe Nowak will be back on the ballot. Chris Martin is the only one running against him.

In Wards 1-4, all the candidates are running uncontested. All but

Only one person is running in Wards 1-4. The sole new name on council will be in Ward 2, with Chris Van Bargen the only candidate. Current councillor Lori Sebben is not seeking reelection after one term.

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