Three-term city councilor Andrew Knack has been declared the mayor-elect of Edmonton. His fellow frontrunner, Tim Cartmell, conceded the race and congratulated Knack on his victory on Tuesday. At 8:20 p.m., Tuesday, Knack secured over 38% of the vote, surpassing Cartmell’s nearly 30% with 91.5% of the polls reporting.
Expressing gratitude, Knack attributed the victory to the collective effort of all workers, emphasizing the city’s potential to embody kindness, hard work, and progress. Despite initially announcing in September 2024 that he would not run in the next municipal election, Knack later decided to run, aiming to present an independent voice and utilize his 12-year track record of engaging with individuals from various political backgrounds.
A total of 13 candidates contested for the mayor’s position, including 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 more than 10% of the vote by 4 p.m.
The municipal elections in Alberta witnessed the implementation of new political regulations by the United Conservative Party government, introducing political parties and permitting corporate and union donations in local elections. Knack highlighted a clear rejection of party politics in Edmonton, exemplified by his win and that of mayor-elect Jeromy Farkas in Calgary.
Cartmell, the sole mayoral candidate running under the political party banner of Better Edmonton, expressed pride in his team’s efforts despite the outcome not meeting their expectations. Edmonton Elections reported an unofficial voter turnout of 30.27%, with 205,758 out of 679,830 eligible voters casting their ballots.
Central issues in this election included addressing housing, homelessness, affordability, property taxes, and public safety. Knack’s campaign promises encompass enhancing day shelters, increasing peace officers collaborating with social workers in the transit system, and advocating for budget restructuring without compromising essential services as the city expands rapidly.
The newly elected mayor, alongside the city council, is set to be sworn in on October 29.