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October 26, 2026 | |||||||
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Ward boundaries of the City of Hamilton | |||||||
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The 2026 Hamilton municipal election will occur on 26 October 2026, as per the Ontario Municipal Elections Act, 1996. [1] [2] This will be the 136th municipal election in the history of Hamilton and the 8th election since Hamilton's amalgamation in 2001.
Residents of Hamilton will elect one mayor and members of the Hamilton City Council using a first-past-the-post electoral system in single-member constituencies, called wards. [3]
Based on their electoral registration, voters may be eligible to elect one of 11 Hamilton-Wentworth District School Board trustees, nine Hamilton-Wentworth Catholic District School Board trustees, one Conseil scolaire Viamonde trustee, or one Conseil scolaire catholique MonAvenir trustee. [3] The status of school trustee elections may be impacted by proposed provincial changes to school boards, which could possibly include reducing the number of trustees or abolishing the office of school trustee altogether. [4]
Rob Cooper has been the Ward 8 councillor since winning a by-election in 2025. He is a former organizer with the Progressive Conservative Party of Ontario and Conservative Party of Canada, and a Chartered Professional Accountant who decided to run for mayor to oppose tax increases. [5] [6] [7]
Andrea Horwath is the incumbent, serving as the 58th mayor of Hamilton. After taking office, Horwath has maintained a more "cautious" approach to governing. [8]
Keanin Loomis was a mayoral candidate in 2022. Since his narrow loss to Horwath, he has served as the CEO of the Canadian Institute of Steel Construction.
Scarlett Gillespie, also known by her performance name Jelena Vermilion, is a local sex worker, artist, and activist. While accepting an award from the Hamilton YWCA in 2024, Vermilion made comments regarding the Hamilton Police Service that resulted in volunteer committees pulling back from fundraising for the local YWCA. [11]
Gillespie initially announced her candidacy for mayor in July of 2025 and reaffirmed her decision to run for mayor in March of 2026. Gillespie told CHCH News that she had made the decision to run using her legal, rather than her performance, name and that he campaign would focus on "housing, tenant protections, climate justice, community-led safety initiatives, strengthening local arts and City Hall accountability, accessibility and transparency." [12]
| Polling firm | Last date of polling [a] | Link | Chad Collins | Andrea Horwath | Keanin Loomis | Other | Undecided | Margin of error [b] | Sample size [c] | Polling method [d] | Lead | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Liaison Strategies | October 23, 2025 | [18] | 9 | 33 | 38 | 2 | 17 | ±3.46 pp | 800 | IVR | 6 | ||
| 2022 election | October 24, 2022 | - | 41.68 | 40.51 | 17.79 | - | N/a | 142,058 | N/a | 1.17 | |||
Two-term incumbent councillor Maureen Wilson won re-election in 2022 with 74.96% of the vote. She announced her intention to run for a third and final term in October of 2024. [19]
| Candidate | Popular vote | Expenditures | ||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Votes | % | ±% | ||||||||||
| Total valid votes | ||||||||||||
| Total rejected, unmarked and declined votes | ||||||||||||
| Turnout | ||||||||||||
| Eligible voters | ||||||||||||
| Note: Candidate campaign colours are based on the prominent colour used in campaign items (signs, literature, etc.) and are used as a visual differentiation between candidates. | ||||||||||||
| Sources: | ||||||||||||
Incumbent councillor Cameron Kroetsch was elected in 2022 with 49.25% of the vote. He announced his intention to seek re-election in July of 2025. [20]
Local social media personality Daniel Myles announced his intention to seek the Ward 2 council seat on his Instagram page in 2025. Myles has found online fame posting videos captured from his home surveillance cameras in Hamilton's Central Neighbourhood. [21] Myles falsely claimed that his attempt to prematurely solicit campaign donations through GoFundMe was stopped because of political interference from the incumbent councillor. This followed the City of Hamilton's elections office informing him the fundraiser violated election laws. [22] [23]
In November of 2025, Kroetsch posted a lengthy thread on the social media site Bluesky reflecting on the threats, violence, and bullying he has experienced since taking office. The thread drew attention to Myles' history of making homophobic and misogynistic comments and targeting community members with differing political viewpoints. [24] Myles later told CHCH News that he stood by his use of a homophobic slur, telling a reporter "I can say whatever I want whenever I want to." [25]
In June of 2025, former Ward 2 councillor and 2022 Ontario Liberal Party candidate in Hamilton East—Stoney Creek Jason Farr told the Hamilton Spectator that he was considering a bid for the Ward 2 seat. [26]
| Candidate | Popular vote | Expenditures | ||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Votes | % | ±% | ||||||||||
| Total valid votes | ||||||||||||
| Total rejected, unmarked and declined votes | ||||||||||||
| Turnout | ||||||||||||
| Eligible voters | ||||||||||||
| Note: Candidate campaign colours are based on the prominent colour used in campaign items (signs, literature, etc.) and are used as a visual differentiation between candidates. | ||||||||||||
| Sources: | ||||||||||||
Two-term incumbent councillor Nrinder Nann was re-elected in 2022 with 50.33% of the vote. She declared her intention to run for re-election in January of 2026. [17]
Quantitative data analyst and activist Andrew Selman announced his intention to seek the Ward 3 council seat in a June 2025 interview with The Hamilton Spectator . [26] Selman is a frequent delegate to Hamilton City Council, focusing on issues of transparency, city spending, and homeless encampments. Selman is vocal in his opposition to encampments, having made national news for his campaign against the makeshift communities. [27]
Stipley resident Graham Schreiber announced a bid for Ward 3 councillor on Facebook in July of 2025. In his posts regarding his candidacy, he has expressed opposition to the city's homeless population and to the proposed LRT project while indicating support for Real Estate Investment Trusts and the involuntary incarceration of people with addictions. His posts also indicate support for President Donald Trump and include anti-Islam and anti-gay comments. [28] [29] [30]
On February 19, 2026, Christine Cayuga, a local business owner, announced her intention to run for the Ward 3 council seat. Cayuga indicated she would be running on a platform that prioritizes affordability and opposes tax increases. [31] [32]
| Candidate | Popular vote | Expenditures | ||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Votes | % | ±% | ||||||||||
| Total valid votes | ||||||||||||
| Total rejected, unmarked and declined votes | ||||||||||||
| Turnout | ||||||||||||
| Eligible voters | ||||||||||||
| Note: Candidate campaign colours are based on the prominent colour used in campaign items (signs, literature, etc.) and are used as a visual differentiation between candidates. | ||||||||||||
| Sources: | ||||||||||||
Incumbent councillor Tammy Hwang won the 2022 election with 23% of the vote. She announced she would seek re-election in July of 2025. [33]
In August of 2025, Hwang alerted the community to a flyer being circulated by Hayden Lawrence, a staffer for Conservative Party of Canada Hamilton East-Stoney Creek MP Ned Kuruc. Lawrence previously sought the office of councillor for the Merriton ward in St. Catharines in 2018 and was the 2025 Conservative candidate for MP in Hamilton Centre. In the letter, Hwang suggested that Lawrence was distributing the letter in anticipation of running for the Ward 4 council seat in 2026. [34]
| Candidate | Popular vote | Expenditures | ||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Votes | % | ±% | ||||||||||
| Total valid votes | ||||||||||||
| Total rejected, unmarked and declined votes | ||||||||||||
| Turnout | ||||||||||||
| Eligible voters | ||||||||||||
| Note: Candidate campaign colours are based on the prominent colour used in campaign items (signs, literature, etc.) and are used as a visual differentiation between candidates. | ||||||||||||
| Sources: | ||||||||||||
Incumbent councillor Matt Francis won the 2022 election with 43.61% of the vote. He announced he would be running for re-election in January of 2026. [17]
| Candidate | Popular vote | Expenditures | ||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Votes | % | ±% | ||||||||||
| Total valid votes | ||||||||||||
| Total rejected, unmarked and declined votes | ||||||||||||
| Turnout | ||||||||||||
| Eligible voters | ||||||||||||
| Note: Candidate campaign colours are based on the prominent colour used in campaign items (signs, literature, etc.) and are used as a visual differentiation between candidates. | ||||||||||||
| Sources: | ||||||||||||
Eleven-term incumbent councillor Tom Jackson won the 2022 election with 63.45% of the vote. He has not announced whether be seeking re-election.
| Candidate | Popular vote | Expenditures | ||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Votes | % | ±% | ||||||||||
| Total valid votes | ||||||||||||
| Total rejected, unmarked and declined votes | ||||||||||||
| Turnout | ||||||||||||
| Eligible voters | ||||||||||||
| Note: Candidate campaign colours are based on the prominent colour used in campaign items (signs, literature, etc.) and are used as a visual differentiation between candidates. | ||||||||||||
| Sources: | ||||||||||||
Incumbent councillor Esther Pauls won re-election in 2022 with 50.91% of the vote. Despite early indications Pauls would not seek a third term, she announced her intention to run for re-election in January of 2026. [17]
| Candidate | Popular vote | Expenditures | ||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Votes | % | ±% | ||||||||||
| Total valid votes | ||||||||||||
| Total rejected, unmarked and declined votes | ||||||||||||
| Turnout | ||||||||||||
| Eligible voters | ||||||||||||
| Note: Candidate campaign colours are based on the prominent colour used in campaign items (signs, literature, etc.) and are used as a visual differentiation between candidates. | ||||||||||||
| Sources: | ||||||||||||
Incumbent councillor Rob Cooper won the 2025 by-election with 19.6% of the vote. [35] In January of 2026, Cooper told the Hamilton Spectator's Scott Radley that he was considering a mayoral bid due to his frustration with Mayor Horwath's handling of the 2026 budget. [6]
| Candidate | Popular vote | Expenditures | ||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Votes | % | ±% | ||||||||||
| Total valid votes | ||||||||||||
| Total rejected, unmarked and declined votes | ||||||||||||
| Turnout | ||||||||||||
| Eligible voters | ||||||||||||
| Note: Candidate campaign colours are based on the prominent colour used in campaign items (signs, literature, etc.) and are used as a visual differentiation between candidates. | ||||||||||||
| Sources: | ||||||||||||
Incumbent councillor Brad Clark won re-election in 2022 with 51.56% of the vote. He announced his intention to run for a fifth term in January of 2026. [17]
| Candidate | Popular vote | Expenditures | ||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Votes | % | ±% | ||||||||||
| Total valid votes | ||||||||||||
| Total rejected, unmarked and declined votes | ||||||||||||
| Turnout | ||||||||||||
| Eligible voters | ||||||||||||
| Note: Candidate campaign colours are based on the prominent colour used in campaign items (signs, literature, etc.) and are used as a visual differentiation between candidates. | ||||||||||||
| Sources: | ||||||||||||
Incumbent councillor Jeff Beattie won the 2022 election with 39.69% of the vote. He announced his intention to seek re-election in January of 2026. [17]
| Candidate | Popular vote | Expenditures | ||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Votes | % | ±% | ||||||||||
| Total valid votes | ||||||||||||
| Total rejected, unmarked and declined votes | ||||||||||||
| Turnout | ||||||||||||
| Eligible voters | ||||||||||||
| Note: Candidate campaign colours are based on the prominent colour used in campaign items (signs, literature, etc.) and are used as a visual differentiation between candidates. | ||||||||||||
| Sources: | ||||||||||||
Incumbent councillor Mark Tadeson won the 2022 election with 37.99% of the vote. He announced he would be seeking re-election in January of 2026. [17]
| Candidate | Popular vote | Expenditures | ||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Votes | % | ±% | ||||||||||
| Total valid votes | ||||||||||||
| Total rejected, unmarked and declined votes | ||||||||||||
| Turnout | ||||||||||||
| Eligible voters | ||||||||||||
| Note: Candidate campaign colours are based on the prominent colour used in campaign items (signs, literature, etc.) and are used as a visual differentiation between candidates. | ||||||||||||
| Sources: | ||||||||||||
Incumbent councillor Craig Cassar won the 2022 election with 38.80% of the vote. He told CBC Hamilton he would seek a second term in January of 2026. [17]
In early 2026, Fred Bennink, the Ontario Progressive Conservative candidate for MPP in Hamilton West—Ancaster—Dundas launched a "concerned citizen" website which resembled a campaign website. This led to speculation that Bennink intended to run for the Ward 12 council seat. [36]
| Candidate | Popular vote | Expenditures | ||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Votes | % | ±% | ||||||||||
| Total valid votes | ||||||||||||
| Total rejected, unmarked and declined votes | ||||||||||||
| Turnout | ||||||||||||
| Eligible voters | ||||||||||||
| Note: Candidate campaign colours are based on the prominent colour used in campaign items (signs, literature, etc.) and are used as a visual differentiation between candidates. | ||||||||||||
| Sources: | ||||||||||||
Incumbent councillor Alex Wilson won the 2022 election with 57.94% of the vote. They have not announced whether they will be seeking re-election.
Loren Lieberman, a local political activist who worked on the campaigns of Jason Farr and Vito Sgro, told the Hamilton Spectator he would be seeking the Ward 13 council seat in 2026. [26]
| Candidate | Popular vote | Expenditures | ||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Votes | % | ±% | ||||||||||
| Total valid votes | ||||||||||||
| Total rejected, unmarked and declined votes | ||||||||||||
| Turnout | ||||||||||||
| Eligible voters | ||||||||||||
| Note: Candidate campaign colours are based on the prominent colour used in campaign items (signs, literature, etc.) and are used as a visual differentiation between candidates. | ||||||||||||
| Sources: | ||||||||||||
Incumbent councillor Mike Spadafora won the 2022 election with 28.48% of the vote. While Spadafora's name was floated as a potential mayoral candidate, he announced his intention to run for re-election in January of 2026. [17]
| Candidate | Popular vote | Expenditures | ||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Votes | % | ±% | ||||||||||
| Total valid votes | ||||||||||||
| Total rejected, unmarked and declined votes | ||||||||||||
| Turnout | ||||||||||||
| Eligible voters | ||||||||||||
| Note: Candidate campaign colours are based on the prominent colour used in campaign items (signs, literature, etc.) and are used as a visual differentiation between candidates. | ||||||||||||
| Sources: | ||||||||||||
Incumbent councillor Ted McMeekin won the 2022 election with 43.83% of the vote. McMeekin, who has been involved in politics since the 1970's, told CBC Hamilton in January of 2026 that he would take time to consult with his family over his political future and make a decision closer to the August 21 deadline for registration. [17]
| Candidate | Popular vote | Expenditures | ||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Votes | % | ±% | ||||||||||
| Total valid votes | ||||||||||||
| Total rejected, unmarked and declined votes | ||||||||||||
| Turnout | ||||||||||||
| Eligible voters | ||||||||||||
| Note: Candidate campaign colours are based on the prominent colour used in campaign items (signs, literature, etc.) and are used as a visual differentiation between candidates. | ||||||||||||
| Sources: | ||||||||||||