Three-term city councilor Andrew Knack has been declared the mayor-elect of Edmonton.
His main competitor, Tim Cartmell, acknowledged his defeat and offered congratulations to Knack on Tuesday. Knack secured over 38% of the vote by 8:20 p.m., outperforming Cartmell, who received nearly 30% with 91.5% of polling stations reporting.
In his victory speech, Knack credited the win to the collective effort of all workers in the city, emphasizing the values of kindness, hard work, and progress. He expressed gratitude to the volunteers who dedicated their time to the campaign, highlighting the campaign’s foundation of passion and perseverance.
Initially deciding not to run in the next municipal election, Knack later reversed his decision to provide an independent voice and build on his extensive experience of engaging with individuals from diverse political backgrounds over the past 12 years.
A total of 13 candidates vied for the mayoral position, including notable figures like pediatric surgeon Omar Mohammad, former councilors Michael Walters and Tony Caterina, and ex-federal MP Rahim Jaffer. Walters was the only other candidate to secure over 10% of the vote by 4 p.m.
The municipal elections in Alberta underwent significant changes due to new political regulations introduced by the United Conservative Party government, allowing political parties and corporate and union contributions. Knack highlighted the rejection of party politics in Edmonton following his win and referenced the success of independent candidates in the elections.
Cartmell, the sole candidate running under the Better Edmonton political party banner, expressed pride in his team’s efforts despite the election outcome. He was unavailable for immediate interviews but promised to address the media later in the week.
Edmonton Elections reported an unofficial voter turnout of 30.27%, with 205,758 out of 679,830 eligible voters casting their votes. Key election issues focused on housing, affordability, property taxes, and public safety.
Knack’s campaign promises included expanding day shelters and increasing the presence of peace officers collaborating with social workers in the city’s transit system. He emphasized his track record of budget reductions through individual motions during his council tenure and advocated for budget restructuring without compromising essential services amid the city’s rapid growth.
Walters, a former councilor from 2013 to 2021, currently holds the third position with nearly 12% of the vote. He expressed pride in his campaign platform and vision, hoping for the opportunity to implement these ideas for the benefit of Edmonton residents.
The new city council, including Knack, will be inaugurated on October 29.
