Andrew Knack, a three-term city councillor, has been elected as the new mayor of Edmonton.
Tim Cartmell, another leading candidate, conceded the election on Tuesday and extended his congratulations to Knack for his victory.
Knack secured over 38% of the votes by 8:20 p.m. on Tuesday, surpassing Cartmell who garnered nearly 30%, with 91.5% of polling stations reporting.
“This win is a collective effort, belonging to every hardworking individual in our city, regardless of their profession,” Knack stated on Tuesday.
He expressed gratitude to the volunteers for their time and dedication, emphasizing the city’s potential to be a beacon of kindness, hard work, and progress.
In September 2024, Knack, who previously represented the west-end Ward Nakota Isga, initially announced he would not run in the upcoming municipal election. However, he later changed his decision, aiming to provide an independent voice and leverage his 12-year track record of engaging with people from various political backgrounds.
A total of 13 candidates vied for the mayoral position, including pediatric surgeon Omar Mohammad, former councillors Michael Walters and Tony Caterina, and ex-federal MP Rahim Jaffer.
Walters was the only other candidate besides Knack to receive more than 10% of the votes as of 4 p.m.
The recent municipal elections in Alberta saw the implementation of new political regulations by the United Conservative Party government, introducing political parties and permitting corporate and union contributions in local elections.
Knack highlighted the rejection of party politics in Edmonton following the victory of independent candidate Jeromy Farkas in Calgary.
Cartmell, who ran under the Better Edmonton party banner, was the sole mayoral candidate affiliated with a political party.
Although not available for interviews on Tuesday, Cartmell’s spokesperson indicated he would address the media later in the week.
Unofficial data from Edmonton Elections revealed a voter turnout of 30.27%, with 205,758 out of 679,830 eligible voters casting their votes.
Prominent campaign issues encompassed housing, affordability, property taxes, and public safety.
Knack’s campaign promises included expanding day shelters and increasing peace officers collaborating with social workers within 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, who served on the council from 2013 to 2021, currently holds third place with nearly 12% of the votes.
City council, including Knack, is scheduled to be sworn in on October 29.
