In Ottawa’s mayoral race, leading candidates have assembled experienced teams with backgrounds in provincial and federal politics. These teams consist of individuals affiliated with various political parties and public relations firms. With no imminent elections at other levels of government, political operatives have shifted their focus to the municipal race, making it a significant battleground.
According to Dan Arnold, a chief strategy officer at Pollara Strategic Insights, having a skilled team allows for the implementation of sophisticated campaign strategies. The mayoral race has already witnessed attention-grabbing policy proposals, such as removing parking pay stations and constructing a village of tiny homes. To maintain a positive image, campaign surrogates are being utilized to launch attacks on opponents while keeping the candidates above the fray.
In this election, the absence of party labels provides a unique opportunity for political operatives to experiment with innovative tactics. The competitive environment allows them to unleash creative ideas that have been brewing for years. The teams behind the leading mayoral campaigns in Ottawa are actively shaping the candidates’ messages and strategies.
In Mark Sutcliffe’s campaign, key figures include Brendan McGuinty, a former chief of staff to Bob Chiarelli, and Kate Harrison, a partner at Summa Strategies. McGuinty and Harrison serve in advisory roles, while the day-to-day operations are managed by individuals who have taken leaves of absence from their roles at city hall. Brett Byers and DG Stringer are the campaign co-managers, bringing a wealth of experience from their previous political engagements.
Jeff Leiper’s team is predominantly composed of individuals with ties to the New Democratic Party (NDP). Stephen Yardy, a seasoned NDP campaigner, leads the team as campaign manager, supported by Matthew Larventz, a former federal Liberal staffer. Tessa Franklin and Heather Badenoch handle communications, while Katy de Sousa oversees field operations.
Alex Lawson’s campaign boasts a lineup of seasoned political operatives, including Emrys Graefe, his half-brother and campaign manager. Laura Kurkimaki, a senior vice-president at Vantage, and Cameron Bonesso, a public relations expert, are also key figures in Lawson’s team. Quito Maggi, chair of the campaign and CEO of Mainstreet Research, provides polling support for Lawson’s bid.
Neil Saravanamuttoo’s campaign team comprises individuals with diverse backgrounds, including Erin Maher, co-campaign manager, and Aidan Anderson, director-at-large with the Ottawa Centre Provincial Liberal Association. Rob Patzer, Ali Rahman, and Debra Hauer are among the team members handling various aspects of the campaign, from policy advisement to communications and outreach.