Local elections feature five-way race for mayor in CW

WELLINGTON COUNTY – The 2026 municipal election is fast approaching and nominations close Aug. 21.  

The following municipal council candidates have registered as of July 28.

Centre Wellington

Candidates running for mayor include Shawn Watters, Neil Dunsmore, Bronwynne Wilton, Kelly Linton and Stephen Kitras.

Councillor candidates are: Lisa MacDonald and Erika Montero in Ward 1; Kimberly Jefferson in Ward 2; Barbara Lustgarten Evoy and David DeWitt in Ward 3; Jennifer Adams in Ward 4; Elnor Walsh and Julie Charbonneau in Ward 5; Pamela Brown-Wass and Richard Pinder in Ward 6.

Erin

Mayoral candidates in Erin thus far include Dusty Scott and Rob Smith. 

Councillor candidates include Benita Raponi, Cathy Aylard, Jamie Cheyne, Alex Zaichuk, Sunjay Bedi and John Brennan.

Guelph/Eramosa

Mayoral candidates in Guelph/Eramosa include Chris White and Dan Kennaley.

Councillor candidates are: Jason Baldwin in Ward 1; Corey Woods in Ward 2; Steven Liebig, Lisa Logan-Dayman and Tara Groves-Taylor in Ward 3; Mark Bouwmeester, Mark Montgomery and  Bree Wilson in Ward 4.

Mapleton

Greg Davidson is the lone candidate thus far for mayor of Mapleton.

Councillor candidates include: Alby Mbanjabahizi, Lori Woodham, Amanda Reid and Marlene Ottens.

Minto

Candidates in Minto include Dave Turton for mayor and the following individuals for councillor: Paul Zimmerman, Susan Thurston, Shawn McDonald, Ron Elliott, Joe Park, Mike Roesch, Judy Dirksen, Jennifer Gibson, Patrick Raftis and Louise Howe.

Puslinch

Candidates running thus far in Puslinch include James Seeley for mayor and the following individuals for councillor: Sara Bailey, John Sepulis, Russel Hurst, Steven Dorgo and David Smedley, councillor. 

Wellington North

Candidates in Wellington North are Steven McCabe, for mayor and the following individuals for councillor:  Penny Renken, Wayne Allen and Michelle McInnis in Ward 1; Sherry Burke and Laura Aston in Ward 2; Erin Kiers in Ward 3; Alex Zantout and Serge Karwal in Ward 4.

Wellington County

Candidates running thus far for Wellington County councillor positions include:

• David Anderson, Ward 1;
• Earl Campbell, Ward 2;
• Campbell Cork, Ward 3;
• Stephen O’Neil, Ward 4;
• Mary Lloyd, Ward 5;
• Diane Ballantyne, Ward 6;
• Matthew Bulmer, Ward 7;
• Doug Breen, Ward 8; and
• Jeff Duncan, Ward 9.

School board trustees

Candidates running thus far for school board trustee positions include:

• Andrew Finoro, Wellington Catholic District School Board (WCDSB) trustee (Minto, Mapleton, Wellington North, Centre Wellington);
• Kyle Reaburn, Upper Grand District School Board (UGDSB) trustee (Puslinch);
• Rachid Barrima, Conseil Scolaire Viamonde – Office of Trustee (Counties of Wellington, Middlesex, Perth, Huron and the Region of Waterloo);
• Cassandra O’Donnell, WCDSB trustee position (Erin, Guelph/Eramosa and  Puslinch);
• Jen Edwards, UGDSB - Office of Trustee (Town of Erin, Township of Guelph/Eramosa, and Township of East Garafraxa); and
• Genevieve Grenier, Conseil Scolaire Catholique MonAvenir - Office of Trustee (Counties of Wellington and Dufferin, the City of Brampton and the Town of Caledon)