Edmonton’s upcoming mayor is Andrew Knack, a three-term city councillor. Tim Cartmell, another frontrunner, conceded the election and congratulated Knack on his victory. By 8:20 p.m. on Tuesday, Knack had secured over 38% of the vote, surpassing Cartmell’s nearly 30% with 91.5% of polls reporting.
In a statement on Tuesday, Knack expressed gratitude to all workers and volunteers who supported his campaign. Initially, Knack had announced in September 2024 that he would not run in the next municipal election but later changed his decision to offer an independent perspective based on his 12 years of experience engaging with various political viewpoints.
A total of 13 candidates contended for the mayoral position, including Omar Mohammad, Michael Walters, Tony Caterina, and Rahim Jaffer. Walters was the only other candidate besides Knack to receive more than 10% of the vote by 4 p.m.
The municipal elections in Alberta saw new political regulations introduced by the United Conservative Party government, allowing political parties and corporate and union donations in local elections. Knack highlighted the rejection of party politics in Edmonton, emphasizing the preference for independent candidates based on the election outcomes.
Cartmell, the sole mayoral candidate running under the Better Edmonton political party banner, acknowledged the election results and expressed pride in his team’s efforts. The unofficial voter turnout was reported at 30.27%, with 205,758 out of 679,830 eligible voters participating in the election.
Key issues in the election included tackling housing and homelessness, affordability, property taxes, and public safety. Knack’s campaign pledges included expanding day shelters and enhancing collaboration between peace officers and social workers in public transit.
Looking ahead, Knack aims to restructure the budget without compromising essential services, expressing concerns over potential repercussions of a tax freeze as the city undergoes rapid growth. Walters, who served on council from 2013 to 2021, secured nearly 12% of the vote and expressed hope in enacting his vision for Edmonton.
The newly elected mayor and city council members will be sworn in on October 29.