Horwath narrowly bests Loomis to become city’s next mayor

Only 1,663 separated the political veteran (pictured) and first-time candidate. Photo credit: Andrea Horwath/Twitter

In a nail-biter that virtually no one saw coming on Monday evening, former Ontario NDP leader Andrea Horwath barely edged out political newcomer Keanin Loomis for mayor of Hamilton. 

The contest, which many pundits brushed off as a coronation for the longtime provincial leader and experienced municipal councillor, finished with just 1,663 votes separating the winner from the runner-up. 

Horwath earned a total of 59,216 votes. Loomis garnered 57,553. 

Former mayor and Liberal MP Bob Bratina came in third with 17,436. 

After being declared the winner, the former Ontario NDP leader told supporters that she would ensure city hall is “transparent and accountable” moving forward.

“Because guess what?”, Horwath said, “It’s not my city hall, it’s not the council members’ city hall, it’s your city hall. This is your city.”

On Tuesday morning, Loomis, who is the past CEO of the Hamilton Chamber of Commerce, said he called and congratulated Horwath on making history as Hamilton’s first woman mayor and said it’s “an achievement we should all celebrate”. 

Outgoing mayor Fred Eisenberger echoed Loomis in a statement, saying, “This is a historic win for Andrea, becoming Hamilton’s very first female Mayor since our founding in 1846. Andrea will be guided by new ideas, a wealth of experience in how government works at all levels, and a track record of advocating and delivering for Hamiltonians.”

In order of votes earned, the remaining mayoral candidates finished as follows: Ejaz Butt, Solomon Ikhuiwu, Jim Davis, Michael Pattison, Paul Fromm, and Hermiz Ishaya. 

Horwath will be joined around the council table later this fall by only six incumbent councillors, as 11 fresh faces were elected. 

The uncertified winners for all 15 wards were:

Ward 1 – Maureen Wilson (Incumbent)
Ward 2 – Cameron Kroetsch
Ward 3 – Nrinder Nann (Incumbent)
Ward 4 – Tammy Hwang
Ward 5 – Matt Francis
Ward 6 – Tom Jackson (Incumbent)
Ward 7 – Esther Pauls (Incumbent)
Ward 8 – John-Paul Danko (Incumbent)
Ward 9 – Brad Clark (Incumbent)
Ward 10 – Jeff Beattie
Ward 11 – Mark Tadeson
Ward 12 – Craig Cassar
Ward 13 – Alex Wilson
Ward 14 – Mike Spadafora
Ward 15 – Ted McMeekin

The unofficial voter turnout was 35.4 per cent, with only 143,375 of 405,288 eligible voters casting a ballot in the election.

All results will be certified by Hamilton’s city clerk later this week.