Three-term city councilor Andrew Knack emerged victorious in the Edmonton mayoral race, becoming the mayor-elect. His fellow frontrunner, Tim Cartmell, conceded defeat and congratulated Knack on his win on Tuesday. Knack secured over 38% of the votes by 8:20 p.m., surpassing Cartmell’s nearly 30% with 91.5% of polls reporting.
In his victory speech, Knack attributed the win to the collective effort of all workers in the city, expressing gratitude to volunteers who dedicated their time to the campaign. Knack initially announced in September 2024 that he would not run in the upcoming municipal election but later reversed his decision to advocate for an independent voice based on his 12-year track record of engaging with individuals across the political spectrum.
A total of 13 candidates vied for the mayoral position, including pediatric surgeon Omar Mohammad, former councilors Michael Walters and Tony Caterina, and ex-federal MP Rahim Jaffer. Walters was the only other candidate to garner over 10% of the votes by 4 p.m.
The municipal elections in Alberta witnessed the implementation of new political regulations by the United Conservative Party government, introducing political parties and allowing corporate and union donations. Knack emphasized the rejection of party politics in Edmonton, citing the victory of mayor-elect Jeromy Farkas in Calgary as evidence of the public’s preference for independent candidates.
Cartmell, the sole mayoral candidate under the political party banner of Better Edmonton, expressed pride in his team’s efforts despite the election outcome. Unofficial voter turnout stood at 30.27%, with 205,758 out of 679,830 eligible voters participating in the election.
Key issues addressed during the campaign included housing, affordability, property taxes, and public safety. Knack’s campaign promises included expanding day shelters and enhancing the collaboration between peace officers and social workers in the city’s transit system. He highlighted his history of budget reductions through individual motions during his council tenure and advocated for budget restructuring without compromising essential services amidst the city’s rapid growth.
Walters, who served on the council from 2013 to 2021, secured nearly 12% of the vote, positioning him in third place. The new city council, including Knack, will be sworn in on October 29.