With the federal election less than two weeks away, The Hamilton Independent reached out to Hamilton’s municipal councillors to see if they stand with a particular political party.
Only one local councillor, Ted McMeekin (Ward 15 – East Flamborough – Waterdown), replied with a formal endorsement.
McMeekin, who was a Liberal Party Member of Provincial Parliament (MPP) from 2000 to 2018, said that he supports the federal Liberal Party, “particularly in light of the recent leadership change.”
In the local races, McMeekin says he is supporting three Liberal candidates: Chad Collins in Hamilton East – Stoney Creek, Lisa Hepfner in Hamilton Mountain, and current fellow councillor John-Paul Danko in his home riding of Hamilton West – Ancaster – Dundas.
“I’m old school and as such, value individual candidates more than any political ideology. In the past I have voted for candidates from all four major parties,” McMeekin added.
Tammy Hwang (Ward 4 – Hamilton East) also responded, saying that she is not publicly supporting any particular party in the election but that there is a Matthew Green NDP lawn sign on her property in Ward 4 since her parents live in her home and consented to the sign.
Councillor Jeff Beattie (Ward 10 – Stoney Creek – Fruitland – Winona) did not endorse any particular candidate or party but said that he is “looking forward to working with whoever forms the next government.”
Similarly, Brad Clark (Ward 9 – Upper Stoney Creek), who served as a Progressive Conservative MPP from 1999 to 2003 and ran for the federal Conservative Party in 2011, said that he trusts voters to make “a well-informed decision.”
Councillor Craig Cassar (Ward 12 – Ancaster-West Flamborough), who has a history of environmental activism, including as co-founder of a group called Save Our Streams Hamilton, reportedly has no comment on the election.
All other city councillors, including Hamilton Mayor Andrea Horwath, did not respond to The Hamilton Independent’s request for comment; however, posts on social media and previous affiliations provide a glimpse into which party they likely support.
Since the federal election was called, Councillor Maureen Wilson (Ward 1 – Chedoke – Cootes – Westdale) has made one post related to it on the social media platform Bluesky, reposting a commitment made by Liberal leader Mark Carney to create 10 new national parks and 15 marine conservation areas.
Councillor Cameron Kroetsch (Ward 2 – Downtown Hamilton) recently endorsed controversial NDP MP Matthew Green in a tweet posted on April 15. Green has called Israeli military action against Hamas a “genocide” and was a strong supporter of Ontario NDP MPP candidate Sarah Jama even after she was kicked out of the party.
Councillor Nrinder Nann (Ward 3 – East Hamilton Centre) has a history with the NDP, including attending the national NDP convention in Ottawa alongside Jama and Green in 2018, but does not appear to have made an official endorsement.
Councillor Matt Francis (Ward 5 – Hamilton East-Stoney Creek) has a history campaigning for the Liberal Party of Canada with MP Chad Collins and previously had a photo of himself with former prime minister Justin Trudeau on his social media profiles. That photo has since been deleted.
Councillor Tom Jackson (Ward 6 – East Mountain) ran for the Conservative Party of Canada in Hamilton Mountain in 2004 but then almost sought the Liberal nomination in the riding in 2015. He does not appear to have made any endorsement.
Councillor Esther Pauls (Ward 7 – Central Mountain) ran for the Progressive Conservative Party of Ontario provincially in the 2018 election, but also does not appear to have made any endorsement.
As mentioned, Councillor John-Paul Danko (Ward 8 – West/Central Mountain) is actually running for the Liberal Party of Canada in Hamilton West – Ancaster – Dundas in the upcoming election.
Mark Tadeson (Ward 11 – Glanbrook-Binbrook-Mount Hope), who is a former principal, does not appear to have any party affiliation and has not made any endorsements.
Alex Wilson (Ward 13 – Dundas-Central Flamborough) formerly worked for NDP MPP Sandy Shaw and was endorsed by her in the 2022 election. He does not appear to have made any endorsements.
Mike Spadafora (Ward 14 – West Mountain) ran for the Progressive Conservative Party of Ontario in the 2022 provincial election. He does not appear to have made any endorsements.
Mayor Andrea Horwath, the former Ontario NDP leader, has not expressed support for a particular political party this election either.
In notable news regarding former Hamilton politicians, former Hamilton Mayor Fred Eisenberger appears to have attended Liberal candidate Collins’ campaign office opening.
Meanwhile, former Hamilton Mayor and former Liberal MP Bob Bratina has openly endorsed Collins’ Conservative opponent Ned Kuruc in Hamilton East – Stoney Creek, as has former Stoney Creek City Councillor Doug Conley and former MP for Hamilton Mountain Duncan Beattie.
Based in Hamilton, he reaches hundreds of thousands of people monthly on Facebook, Instagram, TikTok, and Twitter. He has been published in The Hamilton Spectator, Stoney Creek News, and Bay Observer. He has also been a segment host with Cable 14 Hamilton. In 2017, he received the Chancellor Full Tuition Scholarship from the University of Ottawa (BA, 2022). He has also received the Governor General’s Academic Medal. He formerly worked in a non-partisan role on Parliament Hill in Ottawa.
