Chatham-Kent 2026 Election: Every Candidate, By Ward

🗳️ Chatham-Kent 2026 Election: Every Candidate, By Ward

Nomination day is August 21 — after that, the ballot is set. Chatham-Kent has moved from six wards to eight for this election, with council shrinking from 18 seats to 14 councillors plus a mayor. Here's every candidate currently registered, organized by ward, so you know exactly who's asking for your vote this fall.

This list was last verified against the Municipality of Chatham-Kent's official candidates page on August 25, 2026. The field can still shift slightly as the clerk finalizes processing from nomination day, so bookmark this page and check back — or check the official candidates page yourself anytime.

📍 Race Updates

Aug. 24: April Colby files to run for mayor, becoming the seventh and final name in the mayoral race.

Aug. 24: Ward councillor Morena McDonald announces she won't seek re-election. McDonald has held the seat for just over two years after being chosen to replace Steve Pinsonneault.

Aug. 21: Nomination day closes — final registrations add Victoria Stewart and Bill Wolsing (Ward 5), Dave Palmer and Bonny Pigeon (Ward 6), Penelope Duchesne (Ward 7), and Bruce Caldwell (Ward 8). Deb Martin (Ward 8) withdraws the same day.

👑 Mayor

Lauren Anderson · Michael Bondy · Nelson Burm · Darrin Canniff (incumbent) · April Colby · Ryan Gow · Randy Hope

🏛️ Ward 1 — South West Kent

Tom Askew · Mark Authier · Michael Bond · Melissa Harrigan · Andréa Palmer · Gerhard Taves

🏛️ Ward 2 — South East Kent

Chad Carnie · Anthony Ceccacci · Matthew Giffin · Fred Hooper · Matt Lamarche · Denise Maynard · Albert Pilbeam · Brad Snobelen · Spencer Stinson · Hassan Tariq

🏛️ Ward 3 — North East Kent

Lauren Aziz · Kyle Carter · Cory Couture · Mark Huston · Emery Huszka · Matthew Pietens · James Plunkett

🏛️ Ward 4 — North West Kent

John Cummings · Kirk Hooker · Rhonda Jubenville (incumbent)

🏛️ Ward 5 — Wallaceburg & Area

Bill Arends · Brendan Authier · Loree Bailey · Jim Blake · Dave Brundritt · Steven Burritt · Mark Childs · Jason Debuck · Brent DeNure · David Hyatt · Zac Nicholson · Victoria Stewart · Bill Wolsing · Chris Young

🏛️ Ward 6 — North West Chatham

Jeff Comiskey · Ben Labadie · Brian Machado · Sheila Moir-Martin · Karen Montgomery · Dave Palmer · Bonny Pigeon · Alysson Storey · Marc Westerman

🏛️ Ward 7 — North East Chatham

Steve Adkins · Marjorie Crew (incumbent) · Penelope Duchesne · Michael Fife · Amy Finn · Dustin Gawne · Michael Gibbons · Rick Hottot · Larry Hutchins · Steve Kenney · Marc King · Jonathan Meriano · Jason Reynolds · Doug Robbins · Karen Robinet · Dustin Ryan · Dale VanDusen

🏛️ Ward 8 — South Chatham

Conor Allin · Bruce Caldwell · Cynthia Côté · Sandra Dorner · Ryan Drouillard · John Duquette · Andy Fisher · Paulo Graciano · Deb Martin (Withdrawn due to medical reasons) · Brock McGregor · Rick Nicholls · Stephani Shill · Scott Thompson · Luke Van Der Vliet

📅 Key Election Dates

Nomination Day: Friday, August 21, 2026 at 2:00 PM — the deadline for candidates to file or withdraw.

Campaign Signs Permitted: August 27 – October 31, 2026 on public property.

Election Day: Monday, October 26, 2026.

New Term Begins: November 15, 2026, running through November 14, 2030.

ℹ️ Not Sure Which Ward You're In?

Chatham-Kent redrew its ward boundaries for this election — even if you've voted here before, your ward may have changed. Check your ward and get full candidate details at the municipality's official elections page.

Municipality of Chatham-Kent — 2026 Election →

Candidate list compiled from the Municipality of Chatham-Kent's official candidates page and ongoing local reporting from Sydenham Current and the Chatham Daily News. This list will be updated as new candidates file before nomination day.

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