Jeromy Farkas, the former Ward 11 councillor, has narrowly won the 2025 Calgary mayoral election, beating Communities First leader Sonya Sharp by less than a percentage point, based on unofficial results. Sharp has announced her intention to seek a recount after the close results were revealed. The city released figures showing Farkas secured 91,068 votes, with Sharp trailing closely at 90,484 votes, creating a gap of fewer than 600 votes between them.
The city’s returning officer, Kate Martin, explained that under provincial law, a recount may be requested if the results are within half a percentage point of the total number of ballots cast at an individual polling station. The preliminary city-wide results reveal that Farkas leads Sharp by approximately 0.17% of the total 348,626 ballots cast.
In a statement to the media, Sharp expressed her intention to request a recount in adherence to the legislation. She emphasized that the request was not a critique of the election workers’ efforts but a precaution to ensure accuracy, given the extremely narrow margin of victory.
If the current numbers hold, Farkas is set to become the 38th mayor of Calgary and the first to unseat an incumbent mayor since 1980. He acknowledged Jyoti Gondek for her service as the outgoing mayor, praising her contributions to the city. Farkas pledged to collaborate with individuals across the political spectrum, focusing on common goals such as enhancing safety and affordability for all Calgarians.
The voter turnout for this year’s election appears to be on track to be the lowest in recent years, marked by complaints of long lines. The final unofficial voter turnout figures are expected to be disclosed later on Tuesday. Farkas, who was the runner-up in the 2021 mayoral election, highlighted his opposition to the council’s approach on key issues like jobs, housing, and safety, leading him to run as an independent candidate.
Sharp’s campaign, centered on public safety and infrastructure improvements, promised to recruit 500 additional police officers. Gondek, also running independently, secured the third position in the race. The new council, which Farkas will lead, is likely to include at least eight new council members, considering the number of incumbents not seeking re-election.
Farkas, a Calgary native with a political science degree from the University of Calgary, has experience as a former city councillor and senior fellow at the Manning Centre. His journey from a council member to a nonprofit sector leader has shaped his commitment to bridge-building and collaborative governance. Farkas emphasized the importance of adapting to changing circumstances and learning from past experiences during his political career.
Gondek graciously conceded the mayoral race, expressing pride in her achievements and gratitude to her supporters. She remains committed to Calgary’s progress and anticipates a bright future for the city. The other candidates, like Davison and Thiessen, extended their thanks to their supporters and congratulated Farkas on his victory. The city awaits the final results for council and trustee positions as the electoral process unfolds.
For real-time updates on the election results for city council and school trustee races, follow the latest developments here.