With only a few hours left until the deadline to file nomination papers passes – potential candidates have until 4 p.m. today (Friday Sept. 14) to file – Mission’s municipal election is starting to heat up.
As of yesterday afternoon there were four candidates running for mayor, 17 candidates seeking one of six councillor seats, and four candidates for school trustee.
Those numbers are expected to increase by the end of today.
Randy Hawes (incumbent) will attempt to retain his seat as mayor against current councillor Pam Alexis and challengers Iain Gilfillan and Wyatt Scott.
The next Mission council is guaranteed to have a new look as only three current councillors are seeking re-election, leaving a minimum of three council chairs being occupied by new candidates.
The battle for the six council seats appears to be a wide open affair as incumbents Carol Hamilton, Jim Hinds and Danny Plecas will try to regain their seats against challengers Kelly Apostoliuk, Cal Crawford, Mark Davies, Jag Gill, Anne Graham, Ken Herar, Jennifer Holmes, Jeff Jewell, Doug Lifford, Mike Nenn, Alan Pedersen, Ashley Sharpe, Neil Smith and Dave Westley.
Mission will be electing four school trustee positions and, so far, there are only four candidates in the mix.
Candidates who have been confirmed to be running include incumbents Randy Cairns, Tracy Loffler and Rick McKamey along with new challenger Julia Renkema.
This year’s campaign officially begins on Sept. 22 with the public going to the polls on Oct. 20. Two advance voting opportunities will be available to Mission residents on Oct. 10 and Oct. 17 at Mission Municipal Hall.