In Windsor, the deadline for municipal election candidates to submit their paperwork is approaching, revealing that two city wards may go uncontested. As of the latest update on Monday, both Ward 1 and Ward 9 have only one candidate each on the ballot. If no additional candidates emerge by Friday’s deadline, Darcie Renaud in Ward 1 and Kieran McKenzie in Ward 9 will secure their council seats unopposed, marking the first time Windsor City Hall has seen such uncontested victories in over 30 years.
Ward 9, which encompasses a significant number of voters and includes the future site of the region’s mega-hospital, has Kieran McKenzie seeking his third term as councillor. Despite the lack of opposition, McKenzie remains focused on addressing growth and development issues in the ward. Meanwhile, Ward 1, with its current councillor Fred Francis running for mayor after three terms, has Darcie Renaud as the lone contender for the vacant seat.
While the remaining eight wards in the city offer voters multiple choices, the mayoral race is particularly crowded, with seven candidates vying for the position. Incumbent mayor Drew Dilkens has not disclosed his plans yet, but he expressed concern over the reduced number of candidates compared to previous elections. The nomination deadline is set for 2 p.m. on Friday, August 21.