Edmonton’s new mayor is Andrew Knack, a three-term city councillor who emerged victorious in the recent election. Tim Cartmell, another leading candidate, conceded defeat and praised Knack for his win. Knack secured over 38% of the vote by 8:20 p.m. on Election Day, while Cartmell garnered 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 and thanked his dedicated volunteers for their support. Initially planning not to run in the election, Knack reversed his decision to offer an independent perspective built on his 12-year experience engaging with various political viewpoints.
A total of 13 candidates vied for the mayoral position, including notable figures like Omar Mohammad, Michael Walters, Tony Caterina, and Rahim Jaffer. Apart from Knack, only Walters managed to exceed 10% support as of the afternoon. The election also highlighted a shift away from party politics, with independent candidates like Knack resonating more with voters.
Cartmell, the sole candidate to run under the Better Edmonton party banner, expressed pride in his team’s efforts despite the election outcome. Edmontonians turned out to vote at a rate of 30.27%, with key issues including housing, affordability, property taxes, and public safety dominating the campaign discourse.
Knack’s campaign promises centered on addressing homelessness, enhancing public safety with more peace officers working alongside social workers, and advocating for responsible budget restructuring without compromising essential services. As the city gears up for growth, Knack emphasized the importance of prudent fiscal management to meet community needs.
Walters, a former councillor, secured nearly 12% of the vote and expressed optimism about enacting his vision for Edmonton. The newly elected city council, including Knack, will be sworn in on October 29, ready to lead Edmonton into a new era of governance.