Andrew Knack, a three-term city councillor, emerged as the mayor-elect of Edmonton following the recent election. Tim Cartmell, another top contender, acknowledged his defeat and extended congratulations to Knack on Tuesday. Knack secured over 38% of the vote by 8:20 p.m., surpassing Cartmell, who garnered nearly 30% with 91.5% of polling stations reporting.
In his victory speech, Knack credited the win to the collective effort of all workers in the city and expressed gratitude to the volunteers who dedicated their time to the campaign. Initially, Knack had announced in September 2024 that he would not seek re-election but later reconsidered, aiming to provide an independent voice and build on his 12-year track record of engaging with people from various political backgrounds.
A total of 13 candidates vied for the mayoral position, including notable figures such as pediatric surgeon Omar Mohammad, former councillors Michael Walters and Tony Caterina, and ex-MP Rahim Jaffer. Apart from Knack, only Walters managed to secure more than 10% of the vote by 4 p.m.
The municipal elections in Alberta witnessed the introduction of new political regulations by the United Conservative Party government, allowing for political parties and corporate and union donations in local elections. Knack emphasized the rejection of party politics in Edmonton, citing the victory of independent candidate Jeromy Farkas in Calgary as a testament to the public’s preference for independent voices.
Cartmell, the mayoral candidate running under the banner of Better Edmonton, expressed pride in his team’s efforts despite the election outcome. Notably, unofficial voter turnout stood at 30.27%, with 205,758 out of 679,830 eligible voters participating in the election.
Key election issues included housing, affordability, property taxes, and public safety. Knack’s campaign promises encompassed expanding day shelters and increasing peace officers collaborating with social workers in the city’s transit system. He also highlighted his efforts to reduce the budget during his council tenure and advocated for budget restructuring without compromising essential services in the face of the city’s rapid growth.
Walters, who served on the council from 2013 to 2021, currently holds the third position with nearly 12% of the vote. Knack and the new city council members are set to be sworn in on October 29.