As voters prepare to make their choices at the polls or mark an ‘X’ online from their homes, there are several races in Durham Region that go beyond just the mayoral campaigns, where candidates face considerable challenges.
Here are four key election races to keep an eye on, with two of them wide open as the incumbents step away from their quieter city council roles in Oshawa and Pickering to pursue higher office.
Clarington Regional Council Wards 1 & 2
With online discussions at a low point during this era of divisive politics, election campaigns across Ontario have become rather intense. Clarington residents have had to navigate some questionable campaign strategies throughout various ridings in the area.
A prominent race is for the regional seat for Ward 1 & 2, where incumbent Granville Anderson is up against newcomer Melissa Whitfield. This campaign has been quite explosive, with both sides hurling accusations of unfair tactics.
Oshawa City Councillor Ward 4
Ward 4 represents downtown Oshawa, an area that’s made headlines before and during this campaign and will likely remain a focus for years ahead. The issue surrounding the Canadian Automotive Museum being fined by the city due to after-hours incidents involving homeless individuals has brought downtown Oshawa into sharp relief. Councillors from this ward and others are proposing solutions to this long-standing challenge that doesn’t have easy answers.
Derek Giberson, the current city councillor, is running for mayor which leaves Ward 4 open with ten candidates vying for the position. They include local business owner Domenic Albis, Durham District School Board Vice-Chair Deb Oldfield, former public utilities commissioner Dave Thompson, along with Lisa Freeman, Theresa Grant, Eric Guernsey, Edouard Nwaha Grant, Pauline Mwangi, Jose Morales and Don Rockbrune.
Oshawa Regional Councillor Ward 4
The same issues impacting the city council race also apply here for the regional seat. Incumbent Rick Kerr faces competition from former councillor Doug Sanders and accountability advocate Jeff Davis-both of whom have previously challenged Kerr-and newcomer Jack O’Donnell.
Pickering City Councillor Ward 1
This race is also quite competitive as controversial councillor Lisa Robinson takes aim at Mayor Kevin Ashe’s position. There are eight candidates competing here too including Stop Sprawl Durham co-chair Abdullah Mir along with James Blair, Zubhair Mohamed, Jamie Nye, Michael Samlalsdingh, Jeremy Steinhausen and Priya Vadivel.
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