2026 Hamilton, Ontario, municipal election
Canadian municipal election
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
The 2026 Hamilton municipal election will occur on October 26, 2026, as per the Ontario Municipal Elections Act, 1996.[1][2] This will be the 136th municipal election in the history of Hamilton and the 8th election since Hamilton's amalgamation in 2001.
| |||||||||||||||||
October 26, 2026
| |||||||||||||||||
1 mayor and 15 councillors | |||||||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Opinion polls | |||||||||||||||||
| |||||||||||||||||
 Ward boundaries of the City of Hamilton | |||||||||||||||||
| |||||||||||||||||
Residents of Hamilton will elect one mayor and members of the Hamilton City Council using a first-past-the-post electoral system in single-member constituencies, called wards.[3]
Based on their electoral registration, voters are also eligible to elect one of 11 Hamilton-Wentworth District School Board trustees, nine Hamilton-Wentworth Catholic District School Board trustees, one Conseil scolaire Viamonde trustee, or one Conseil scolaire catholique MonAvenir trustee.[3] The status of school trustee elections was uncertain until roughly three weeks before the start of the nomination period, with the provincial government threatening to reducing the number of trustees or abolishing the office of school trustee altogether.[4] Legislation tabled on 13 April 2026 confirmed the continued direct election of school trustees.[5]
Mayoral election
In 2022, former Ontario NDP leader Andrea Horwath won a narrow victory over Keanin Loomis, the past president of the Hamilton Chamber of Commerce. Horwath won with 1.2 percent over Loomis while former mayor Bob Bratina fell far behind with just 12.3 percent of the vote. After taking office, Horwath maintained a more "cautious" approach to governing, often voting with councillors across the political spectrum.[6]
Criticism of Horwath's leadership and management of the city's infrastructure, issues with homelessness, and stalled economic growth started early in her tenure and led to speculation about her electoral future and possible opposing candidates in the 2026 election. The first major candidate to announce a bid to oppose Horwath was Scarlett Gillespie, a community organizer, affordable housing activist, and executive director of the Sex Workers' Action Program (SWAP) Hamilton.[7] Gillespie, also known by her alias Jelena Vermilion, identifies as a transgender woman.[8] While accepting an award from the Hamilton YWCA in 2024 for her advocacy work, Gillespie made comments criticizing police violence that resulted in a volunteer committee of Hamilton Police Service members pulling back from fundraising for the local YWCA.[9]
Gillespie initially announced her candidacy for mayor in July 2025, and reaffirmed her decision to run for mayor in March 2026, confirming that she would run using her legal, rather than performance, name.[10][11] Her platform includes a prioritization of "housing, tenant protections, climate justice, transparency at city hall, community-led initiatives and strengthening the arts sector".[7]
2022 runner-up, Keanin Loomis, announced a second bid for the mayor's office in February 2026. Since his narrow loss to Horwath, he served as the CEO of the Canadian Institute of Steel Construction.[12]
In the 2025 Canadian federal election, Ward 8 Councillor John-Paul Danko was elected Member of Parliament for the riding of Hamilton West—Ancaster—Dundas. Hamilton City Council opted to hold a by-election for Danko's vacant seat in September of 2025. The by-election was won by Rob Cooper, a chartered professional accountant and veteran organizer with the Progressive Conservative Party of Ontario and Conservative Party of Canada.[13] Cooper and Horwath clashed frequently on council, particularly around the municipal budget which, after the introduction of strong mayor powers in Ontario, became the responsibility of the mayor's office. Cooper's decision to run for mayor stems from his frustration around the municipal budget and the lack of power granted individual councillors to impact budget decisions.[14][6]
Candidates
| Candidate | Experience | Announced | Registered | Ref |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Sasha Austin | Indigenous Patient Navigator at De Dwa da Dehs-Nyes Indigenous Health Centre | May 4, 2026 Website |
May 4, 2026 | [15] |
| Ejaz Butt | Former Major in the Pakistan Armed Forces Founding President of the Ontario Taxi Workers Union |
May 1, 2026 | May 1, 2026 | [16] |
| David Mark Cherkewski | Anti-poverty activist | August 21, 2026 | August 21, 2026 | [17] |
.jpg) Rob Cooper |
Ward 8 City Councillor (2025–present) Former organizer with the Progressive Conservative Party of Ontario and Conservative Party of Canada |
March 3, 2026 Website |
May 1, 2026 | [13][14][6] |
_2.jpg) Paul Fromm |
Neo-Nazi, Holocaust-denier, white-supremacist, and perennial candidate | June 29, 2026 | June 29, 2026 | |
.jpg) Scarlett Gillespie |
Executive director of the Sex Workers' Action Program (SWAP) Hamilton | July 29, 2025 Website |
May 1, 2026 | [10][7] |
| David Harrison | August 21, 2026 | August 21, 2026 | ||
.jpg) Andrea Horwath |
Mayor of Hamilton (2022–present) Leader of the Ontario New Democratic Party (2009–2022) MPP for Hamilton Centre (2004–2022) Ward 2 Councillor (1997–2004) |
July 10, 2025 Website |
August 14, 2026 | [18][19] |
| Erin Janus | Animal rights activist | August 21, 2026 | August 21, 2026 | [17] |
.jpg) Keanin Loomis |
Runner-up, 2022 mayoral election President & CEO of the Canadian Institute of Steel Construction (2024–2026) President & CEO of the Hamilton Chamber of Commerce (2013–2022) |
February 25, 2025 Website |
May 8, 2026 | [20] |
| Pamela Mitchell | Candidate for Ward 13 - Dundas councillor (2014 and 2018) Candidate for Ward 12 - Ancaster councillor (2022) |
June 23, 2026 | June 23, 2026 | |
| Kevin Walker | August 14, 2026 | August 14, 2026 | ||
| Nathalie Xian Yi Yan | Perennial candidate Traditional Chinese medicine practitioner |
May 27, 2026 | May 27, 2026 |
Declined or ineligible
- Bob Bratina - mayor of Hamilton from 2010–2014, Liberal member of Parliament for Hamilton East—Stoney Creek from 2015–2021[21]
- Chad Collins - Liberal member of Parliament for Hamilton East—Stoney Creek from 2021–2025, Ward 5 councillor from 1997–2021[22][23][24]
- Peter Dyakowski - local landlord, offensive lineman for the Hamilton Tiger-Cats (2007–2016), 2019 Conservative Party of Canada candidate for MP on Hamilton Mountain[25][23][24]
- Vito Sgro - 2018 candidate for mayor, 2021 Liberal Party of Canada candidate for MP in Flamborough—Glanbrook[23][24]
- Mike Spadafora - Ward 14 councillor from 2022–present, 2018 Progressive Conservative Party of Ontario candidate for MPP on Hamilton Mountain (running for re-election in Ward 14)[23]
- Monique Taylor - member of Provincial Parliament for Hamilton Mountain from 2011–2025 (running for MPP in Hamilton East—Stoney Creek)[22][23]
Opinion polls
| Polling firm | Last date of polling[a] |
Link | Chad Collins | Rob Cooper | Scarlett Gillespie | Andrea Horwath | Keanin Loomis | Other | Undecided | Margin of error[b] |
Sample size[c] |
Polling method[d] | Lead |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Keanin Loomis Campaign (Unofficial) | July 23, 2026 | [26] | N/a | 22 | 9 | 24 | 38 | N/a | 35 | N/a | 921 | N/a | 14 |
| Liaison Strategies | October 23, 2025 | [27] | 9 | N/a | N/a | 33 | 38 | 2 | 17 | ±3.46 pp | 800 | IVR | 6 |
| 2022 election | October 24, 2022 | - | - | - | 41.68 | 40.51 | 17.79 | - | - | 142,058 | - | 1.17 | |
Results
| Candidate | Popular vote | Expenditures | ||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Votes | % | ±% | ||||||||||
| Sasha Austin | ||||||||||||
| Ejaz Butt | ||||||||||||
| Rob Cooper | ||||||||||||
| Paul Fromm | ||||||||||||
| Scarlett Gillespie | ||||||||||||
| Andrea Horwath | ||||||||||||
| Keanin Loomis | ||||||||||||
| Pamela Mitchell | ||||||||||||
| Kevin Walker | ||||||||||||
| Nathalie Xian Yi Yan | ||||||||||||
| Total valid votes | ||||||||||||
| Total rejected, unmarked and declined votes | ||||||||||||
| Turnout | ||||||||||||
| Eligible voters | ||||||||||||
| Note: Candidate campaign colours are based on the prominent colour used in campaign items (signs, literature, etc.) and are used as a visual differentiation between candidates. | ||||||||||||
| Sources: City of Hamilton, "Nominated Candidates" | ||||||||||||
City council elections
Ward 1 - Chedoke-Cootes
Two-term incumbent councillor Maureen Wilson won re-election in 2022 with 74.96% of the vote. She announced her intention to run for a third and final term in October 2024.[28]
| Candidate | Popular vote | Expenditures | ||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Votes | % | ±% | ||||||||||
| Raymond Paquette | ||||||||||||
| Mark Powell | ||||||||||||
| Nathan Savelli | ||||||||||||
| Maureen Wilson (incumbent) | ||||||||||||
| Total valid votes | ||||||||||||
| Total rejected, unmarked and declined votes | ||||||||||||
| Turnout | ||||||||||||
| Eligible voters | ||||||||||||
| Note: Candidate campaign colours are based on the prominent colour used in campaign items (signs, literature, etc.) and are used as a visual differentiation between candidates. | ||||||||||||
| Sources: City of Hamilton, "Nominated Candidates" | ||||||||||||
Ward 2 - Downtown
Incumbent councillor Cameron Kroetsch was elected in 2022 with 49.25% of the vote. He announced his intention to seek re-election in July 2025.[29] On 24 May 2026, Kroetsch reaffirmed his intention to run for re-election on Bluesky, indicating he planned to register in early June and had avoided doing so to focus on legislation prior to a 31 August deadline for sitting councillors to submit motions.[30] Kroetsch registered for re-election on June 2, 2026.
Local social media personality Daniel Myles announced his intention to seek the Ward 2 council seat on his Instagram page in 2025. Myles has found online fame posting videos captured from his home surveillance cameras in Hamilton's Central Neighbourhood.[31] Myles falsely claimed that his attempt to prematurely solicit campaign donations through GoFundMe was stopped because of political interference from the incumbent councillor. This followed the City of Hamilton's elections office informing him the fundraiser violated election laws.[32][33]
In November 2025, Kroetsch posted a lengthy thread on the social media site Bluesky reflecting on the threats, violence, and bullying he has experienced since taking office. The thread drew attention to Myles' history of making homophobic and misogynistic comments and targeting community members with differing political viewpoints.[34] Myles later told CHCH News that he stood by his use of a homophobic slur, telling a reporter, "I can say whatever I want whenever I want to."[35]
During the summer of 2026, Myles faced questions from local media about his possible criminal history. A Hamilton resident named "Daniel Myles" was convicted of criminal harassment in 2016 after sending intimate photos of a woman to her son, with a judge saying he was "predatory, lacks empathy for his victims, lacks insight into his offending behaviour".[36] Arrest warrants in relation to 33 criminal charges were also issued for a "Daniel Myles" in Woodstock, New Brunswick in the 1990's. After a Hamilton Spectator investigation found that Myles had the same name and birthdate as the individuals in the criminal cases, as well as connections to Woodstock, the paper contacted Myles, who declined to comment. Myles withdrew from the race on August 18, 2026, citing "personal safety" reasons for his withdrawal.[37][38]
On April 15, 2026, North End resident and activist Kelly Oucharek announced her candidacy for Ward 2 councillor.[39] Oucharek became a leading opponent of a proposal by local faith-based groups to construct a tiny home village for people experiencing homelessness in the North End neighbourhood.[40] Oucharek is a vocal critic of Kroetsch, frequently delegating to City Council and commenting to local media regarding issues in the community.[41]
Brian Lewis, a Ward 14 resident who sought the West Mountain councillor's seat in 2022, registered to run on 21 May 2026.
| Candidate | Popular vote | Expenditures | ||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Votes | % | ±% | ||||||||||
| Eisham Abdulkarim | ||||||||||||
| Rodney Elesie | ||||||||||||
| Daniel Greene | ||||||||||||
| Bill Houston | ||||||||||||
| Cameron Kroetsch (incumbent) | ||||||||||||
| Brian Lewis | ||||||||||||
| Kelly Oucharek | ||||||||||||
| Tony Sciara | ||||||||||||
| Bernard Tompkins | ||||||||||||
| Total valid votes | ||||||||||||
| Total rejected, unmarked and declined votes | ||||||||||||
| Turnout | ||||||||||||
| Eligible voters | ||||||||||||
| Note: Candidate campaign colours are based on the prominent colour used in campaign items (signs, literature, etc.) and are used as a visual differentiation between candidates. | ||||||||||||
| Sources: City of Hamilton, "Nominated Candidates" | ||||||||||||
Ward 3 - Hamilton Centre
Two-term incumbent councillor Nrinder Nann was re-elected in 2022 with 50.33% of the vote. She declared her intention to run for re-election in January 2026.[21]
Quantitative data analyst and activist Andrew Selman announced his intention to seek the Ward 3 council seat in a June 2025 interview with The Hamilton Spectator.[42] Selman is a frequent delegate to Hamilton City Council, focusing on issues of transparency, city spending, and homeless encampments. Selman gained national media attention for his opposition to the makeshift communities. Selman is widely seen as the top contender in the upcoming election, garnering broad community support.[43] He has highlighted the issue of urban blight, campaigning for the demolition of abandoned buildings in the community.[44] Selman made local news in May 2024 after rescuing a family from an apartment fire.[45]
Stipley resident Graham Schreiber announced a bid for Ward 3 councillor on Facebook in July 2025. In his posts regarding his candidacy, he has expressed opposition to the city's homeless population and to the proposed LRT project while indicating support for Real Estate Investment Trusts and the involuntary incarceration of people with addictions. His posts also indicate support for President Donald Trump and include anti-Islam and anti-gay comments.[46][47][48] He officially registered his candidacy on May 4, 2026.
On February 19, 2026, Christine Cayuga, a local business owner, announced her intention to run for the Ward 3 council seat. Cayuga indicated she would be running on a platform that prioritizes affordability and opposes tax increases.[49][50] She officially registered her candidacy on May 4, 2026.
On May 15, 2026, Kristeen Sprague registered her candidacy. Sprague won 120 votes in 2018. She did not submit official financial statements and was ineligible to run in 2022.
| Candidate | Popular vote | Expenditures | ||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Votes | % | ±% | ||||||||||
| Wade Campbell | ||||||||||||
| Christine Cayuga | ||||||||||||
| Christopher DeMelo | ||||||||||||
| Nrinder Nann (incumbent) | ||||||||||||
| Graham Schreiber | ||||||||||||
| Andrew Selman | ||||||||||||
| Kristeen Sprague | ||||||||||||
| Total valid votes | ||||||||||||
| Total rejected, unmarked and declined votes | ||||||||||||
| Turnout | ||||||||||||
| Eligible voters | ||||||||||||
| Note: Candidate campaign colours are based on the prominent colour used in campaign items (signs, literature, etc.) and are used as a visual differentiation between candidates. | ||||||||||||
| Sources: City of Hamilton, "Nominated Candidates" | ||||||||||||
Ward 4 - Hamilton East
Incumbent councillor Tammy Hwang won the 2022 election with 23% of the vote. She announced she would seek re-election in July 2025.[51]
In August 2025, Hwang alerted the community to a flyer being circulated by Hayden Lawrence, a staffer for Conservative Party of Canada Hamilton East-Stoney Creek MP Ned Kuruc. Lawrence previously sought the office of councillor for the Merriton ward in St. Catharines in 2018 and was the 2025 Conservative candidate for MP in Hamilton Centre. In the letter, Hwang suggested that Lawrence was distributing the letter in anticipation of running for the Ward 4 council seat in 2026.[52]
In June 2025, former Ward 2 councillor and 2022 Ontario Liberal Party candidate in Hamilton East—Stoney Creek Jason Farr told the Hamilton Spectator that he was considering a bid for the Ward 2 seat.[42] In late April 2026, Farr surprised observers by announcing he would, instead, seek the Ward 4 council seat. Local journalist Joey Coleman noted that Farr, a resident of Ward 3, had been working as a consultant lobbyist since losing his seat in 2022.[53]
| Candidate | Popular vote | Expenditures | ||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Votes | % | ±% | ||||||||||
| Todd Anderson | ||||||||||||
| Jason Farr | - | |||||||||||
| Tammy Hwang (incumbent) | - | |||||||||||
| Jemma Lambert | ||||||||||||
| Tony Mamone | ||||||||||||
| Tobin Tuff | ||||||||||||
| Total valid votes | ||||||||||||
| Total rejected, unmarked and declined votes | ||||||||||||
| Turnout | ||||||||||||
| Eligible voters | ||||||||||||
| Note: Candidate campaign colours are based on the prominent colour used in campaign items (signs, literature, etc.) and are used as a visual differentiation between candidates. | ||||||||||||
| Sources: City of Hamilton, "Nominated Candidates" | ||||||||||||
Ward 5 - Red Hill
Incumbent councillor Matt Francis won the 2022 election with 43.61% of the vote. He announced he would be running for re-election in January 2026.[21]
| Candidate | Popular vote | Expenditures | ||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Votes | % | ±% | ||||||||||
| Matt Francis (incumbent) | ||||||||||||
| Ahmad Khan | ||||||||||||
| Juanita Maldonado | ||||||||||||
| Total valid votes | ||||||||||||
| Total rejected, unmarked and declined votes | ||||||||||||
| Turnout | ||||||||||||
| Eligible voters | ||||||||||||
| Note: Candidate campaign colours are based on the prominent colour used in campaign items (signs, literature, etc.) and are used as a visual differentiation between candidates. | ||||||||||||
| Sources: City of Hamilton, "Nominated Candidates" | ||||||||||||
Ward 6 - East Mountain
Eleven-term incumbent councillor Tom Jackson won the 2022 election with 63.45% of the vote. Jackson announced he would be seeking a twelfth term in May 2026.[54]
| Candidate | Popular vote | Expenditures | ||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Votes | % | ±% | ||||||||||
| Melissa Debicki | ||||||||||||
| Tom Jackson (incumbent) | ||||||||||||
| Peter Werhun | ||||||||||||
| Total valid votes | ||||||||||||
| Total rejected, unmarked and declined votes | ||||||||||||
| Turnout | ||||||||||||
| Eligible voters | ||||||||||||
| Note: Candidate campaign colours are based on the prominent colour used in campaign items (signs, literature, etc.) and are used as a visual differentiation between candidates. | ||||||||||||
| Sources: City of Hamilton, "Nominated Candidates" | ||||||||||||
Ward 7 - Central Mountain
Incumbent councillor Esther Pauls won re-election in 2022 with 50.91% of the vote. Despite early indications Pauls would not seek a third term, she announced her intention to run for re-election in January 2026.[21]
| Candidate | Popular vote | Expenditures | ||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Votes | % | ±% | ||||||||||
| Heather Beale | ||||||||||||
| Mark Daly | ||||||||||||
| Gordon Leslie | ||||||||||||
| Esther Pauls (incumbent) | ||||||||||||
| Total valid votes | ||||||||||||
| Total rejected, unmarked and declined votes | ||||||||||||
| Turnout | ||||||||||||
| Eligible voters | ||||||||||||
| Note: Candidate campaign colours are based on the prominent colour used in campaign items (signs, literature, etc.) and are used as a visual differentiation between candidates. | ||||||||||||
| Sources: City of Hamilton, "Nominated Candidates" | ||||||||||||
Ward 8 - West/Central Mountain
Incumbent councillor Rob Cooper won the 2025 by-election with 19.6% of the vote.[55] In January 2026, Cooper told the Hamilton Spectator's Scott Radley that he was considering a mayoral bid due to his frustration with Mayor Horwath's handling of the 2026 budget.[14] Cooper confirmed he intended to run for mayor in March 2026.[13]
In early April, 2026, Ward 7 Hamilton-Wentworth District School Board trustee and 2025 Ontario Liberal Party candidate for MPP on Hamilton Mountain, Dawn Danko announced her intention to seek the Ward 8 council seat. Danko's husband, John-Paul Danko, previously served as the Ward 8 councillor before being elected the federal MP for Hamilton West-Ancaster-Dundas. Danko indicated her campaign would focus on responsible spending and reliable delivery of public services.[56] She registered on May 15, 2026.
On May 1, 2026, Jacob Tenbrinke, the president of the Hamilton Mountain Conservative Party of Canada electoral district association[57], registered to run. His priorities include affordability, access to housing, and a stated commitment to cap property tax increases.[58]
Several candidates filed on August 21, 2026, which was the filing deadline.[59] They include Adlan Tamarov, Jonathan Morris and Terry Whitehead. Whitehead previously served as the city councillor for Ward 14, opting not to run for re-election in 2022. More recently, Whitehead stood as a candidate in the 2025 by-election in Ward 8, where he placed 2nd with 17.8% of the vote.[60] Whitehead had previously been the subject of controversy, having bullied and harrassed city staff during his tenure on council, claims verified and enforced by the Hamilton Integrity Commisioner and council.[61]
| Candidate | Popular vote | Expenditures | ||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Votes | % | ±% | ||||||||||
| Nenos Damerchie | ||||||||||||
| Dawn Danko | ||||||||||||
| Jonathan Morris | ||||||||||||
| Pat Piro | ||||||||||||
| Adlan Taramov | ||||||||||||
| Jacob Tenbrinke | ||||||||||||
| Terry Whitehead | ||||||||||||
| Total valid votes | ||||||||||||
| Total rejected, unmarked and declined votes | ||||||||||||
| Turnout | ||||||||||||
| Eligible voters | ||||||||||||
| Note: Candidate campaign colours are based on the prominent colour used in campaign items (signs, literature, etc.) and are used as a visual differentiation between candidates. | ||||||||||||
| Sources: City of Hamilton, "Nominated Candidates" | ||||||||||||
Ward 9 - Upper Stoney Creek
Incumbent councillor Brad Clark won re-election in 2022 with 51.56% of the vote. He announced his intention to run for a fifth term in January 2026.[21] He registered on May 15, 2026
Abhijeet Gill registered on May 6, according to his nomination form, he resides in the Felker neighbourhood.
On May 8, Jonathan Stathakos, a Brock University employee and activist with both the federal Conservative Party and provincial Progressive Conservatives, registered to run for Ward 9 councillor. Stathakos, who served as manager for Ned Kuruc's campaign in Hamilton East–Stoney Creek and as MPP Donna Skelly's deputy campaign manager in 2025, announced a campaign platform that focused on lower taxes, more police presence in Stoney Creek, and widening local highways.[62][63][64][65]
Eileen Walker, a former Justice of the peace and the Ontario Liberal Party candidate for MPP in Hamilton Centre in 2025, filed in July.[66][67]
Michael T. Loomans, a local perennial candidate, had previously registered to run in this ward, opting to switch to Ward 10 on the resignation of that ward's incumbent Jeff Beattie.
| Candidate | Popular vote | Expenditures | ||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Votes | % | ±% | ||||||||||
| Brad Clark (incumbent) | ||||||||||||
| Abhijeet Gill | ||||||||||||
| Brad Stapleton | ||||||||||||
| Jonathan Stathakos | ||||||||||||
| Eileen Walker | ||||||||||||
| Total valid votes | ||||||||||||
| Total rejected, unmarked and declined votes | ||||||||||||
| Turnout | ||||||||||||
| Eligible voters | ||||||||||||
| Note: Candidate campaign colours are based on the prominent colour used in campaign items (signs, literature, etc.) and are used as a visual differentiation between candidates. | ||||||||||||
| Sources: City of Hamilton, "Nominated Candidates" | ||||||||||||
Ward 10 - Lower Stoney Creek
Incumbent councillor Jeff Beattie won the 2022 election with 39.69% of the vote. He announced his intention to seek re-election in January 2026.[21] After Hamilton East-Stoney Creek MPP Neil Lumsden announced his retirement in late July 2026, the Ontario Progressive Conservative Party named Beattie as their candidate in the by-election. After Beattie's candidacy was announced, he withdrew from the municipal election.[68]
| Candidate | Popular vote | Expenditures | ||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Votes | % | ±% | ||||||||||
| Cal DiFalco | ||||||||||||
| Eugene Farago | ||||||||||||
| Olivia Fung | ||||||||||||
| Sam Gamble | ||||||||||||
| Akash Grewal | ||||||||||||
| Michael T. Loomans | ||||||||||||
| Ivan Luksic | ||||||||||||
| Tanjoban Nijjar | ||||||||||||
| Larry Paletta | ||||||||||||
| Vince Rigitano | ||||||||||||
| Nicole Trombetta | ||||||||||||
| Total valid votes | ||||||||||||
| Total rejected, unmarked and declined votes | ||||||||||||
| Turnout | ||||||||||||
| Eligible voters | ||||||||||||
| Note: Candidate campaign colours are based on the prominent colour used in campaign items (signs, literature, etc.) and are used as a visual differentiation between candidates. | ||||||||||||
| Sources: City of Hamilton, "Nominated Candidates" | ||||||||||||
Ward 11 - Glanbrook
Incumbent councillor Mark Tadeson won the 2022 election with 37.99% of the vote. He announced he would be seeking re-election in January 2026.[21]
| Candidate | Popular vote | Expenditures | ||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Votes | % | ±% | ||||||||||
| Damon Mombourquette | ||||||||||||
| Aaron Post | ||||||||||||
| Mark Tadeson (incumbent) | ||||||||||||
| Total valid votes | ||||||||||||
| Total rejected, unmarked and declined votes | ||||||||||||
| Turnout | ||||||||||||
| Eligible voters | ||||||||||||
| Note: Candidate campaign colours are based on the prominent colour used in campaign items (signs, literature, etc.) and are used as a visual differentiation between candidates. | ||||||||||||
| Sources: City of Hamilton, "Nominated Candidates" | ||||||||||||
Ward 12 - Ancaster
Incumbent councillor Craig Cassar won the 2022 election with 38.80% of the vote. He told CBC Hamilton he would seek a second term in January 2026.[21] He registered for re-election on June 30.
In early 2026, Fred Bennink, the Ontario Progressive Conservative candidate for MPP in Hamilton West—Ancaster—Dundas launched a "concerned citizen" website which resembled a campaign website. This led to speculation that Bennink intended to run for the Ward 12 council seat.[69] Bennink registered to run for the seat on the opening day of nominations.
| Candidate | Popular vote | Expenditures | ||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Votes | % | ±% | ||||||||||
| Fred Bennink | ||||||||||||
| Craig Cassar (incumbent) | ||||||||||||
| Total valid votes | ||||||||||||
| Total rejected, unmarked and declined votes | ||||||||||||
| Turnout | ||||||||||||
| Eligible voters | ||||||||||||
| Note: Candidate campaign colours are based on the prominent colour used in campaign items (signs, literature, etc.) and are used as a visual differentiation between candidates. | ||||||||||||
| Sources: City of Hamilton, "Nominated Candidates" | ||||||||||||
Ward 13 - Dundas
Incumbent councillor Alex Wilson won the 2022 election with 57.94% of the vote. Wilson announced via their Ward 13 community newsletter on May 1, 2026 that they had made the "difficult decision" not to seek re-election, pointing to both accomplishments during their term and ongoing concerns about provincial interference in municipal governance.[70]
Loren Lieberman, a local political activist who worked on the campaigns of Jason Farr and Vito Sgro, told the Hamilton Spectator he would be seeking the Ward 13 council seat in 2026.[42]
In March 2026, Rick Kunc, a retired school principal at the private Hillfield Strathallan College, announced his intention to run for the Ward 13 seat, stating he wished to give back to the community.[71]
| Candidate | Popular vote | Expenditures | ||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Votes | % | ±% | ||||||||||
| Gary Aikema | ||||||||||||
| Rick Kunc | ||||||||||||
| Loren Lieberman | ||||||||||||
| Spencer Naylor | ||||||||||||
| Total valid votes | ||||||||||||
| Total rejected, unmarked and declined votes | ||||||||||||
| Turnout | ||||||||||||
| Eligible voters | ||||||||||||
| Note: Candidate campaign colours are based on the prominent colour used in campaign items (signs, literature, etc.) and are used as a visual differentiation between candidates. | ||||||||||||
| Sources: City of Hamilton, "Nominated Candidates" | ||||||||||||
Ward 14 - West Mountain
Incumbent councillor Mike Spadafora won the 2022 election with 28.48% of the vote. While Spadafora's name was floated as a potential mayoral candidate, he announced his intention to run for re-election in January 2026.[21]
Kojo Damptey, the runner-up for this seat in 2022, filed his nomination papers in May. Damptey, a part-time instructor at McMaster University, was also the Ontario NDP candidate for MPP in Hamilton Mountain in 2025.[72][73]
| Candidate | Popular vote | Expenditures | ||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Votes | % | ±% | ||||||||||
| Kojo Damptey | ||||||||||||
| Michael Spadafora (incumbent) | - | |||||||||||
| Total valid votes | ||||||||||||
| Total rejected, unmarked and declined votes | ||||||||||||
| Turnout | ||||||||||||
| Eligible voters | ||||||||||||
| Note: Candidate campaign colours are based on the prominent colour used in campaign items (signs, literature, etc.) and are used as a visual differentiation between candidates. | ||||||||||||
| Sources: City of Hamilton, "Nominated Candidates" | ||||||||||||
Ward 15 - Flamborough
Incumbent councillor Ted McMeekin won the 2022 election with 43.83% of the vote. McMeekin, who has been involved in politics since the 1970's, told CBC Hamilton in January 2026 that he would take time to consult with his family over his political future and make a decision closer to the August 21 deadline for registration.[21] McMeekin registered in late June.
| Candidate | Popular vote | Expenditures | ||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Votes | % | ±% | ||||||||||
| Chase Alford | ||||||||||||
| Mary Kovacs | ||||||||||||
| Ted McMeekin (incumbent) | - | |||||||||||
| Colleen Stewart | ||||||||||||
| Zac Wrobel | ||||||||||||
| Jeff Yaeger | ||||||||||||
| Total valid votes | ||||||||||||
| Total rejected, unmarked and declined votes | ||||||||||||
| Turnout | ||||||||||||
| Eligible voters | ||||||||||||
| Note: Candidate campaign colours are based on the prominent colour used in campaign items (signs, literature, etc.) and are used as a visual differentiation between candidates. | ||||||||||||
| Sources: City of Hamilton, "Nominated Candidates" | ||||||||||||
Public school board trustee elections
Ward 1
| Candidate | Popular vote | Expenditures | ||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Votes | % | ±% | ||||||||||
| Blake Hambly | ||||||||||||
| Andrew Harrington | ||||||||||||
| Shawn McMullin | ||||||||||||
| Cameron Prosic | ||||||||||||
| Total valid votes | ||||||||||||
| Total rejected, unmarked and declined votes | ||||||||||||
| Turnout | ||||||||||||
| Eligible voters | ||||||||||||
| Note: Candidate campaign colours are based on the prominent colour used in campaign items (signs, literature, etc.) and are used as a visual differentiation between candidates. | ||||||||||||
| Sources: City of Hamilton, "Nominated Candidates" | ||||||||||||
Ward 2
| Candidate | Popular vote | Expenditures | ||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Votes | % | ±% | ||||||||||
| Anthony Chepil | ||||||||||||
| Sabreina Dehab (incumbent) | ||||||||||||
| Total valid votes | ||||||||||||
| Total rejected, unmarked and declined votes | ||||||||||||
| Turnout | ||||||||||||
| Eligible voters | ||||||||||||
| Note: Candidate campaign colours are based on the prominent colour used in campaign items (signs, literature, etc.) and are used as a visual differentiation between candidates. | ||||||||||||
| Sources: City of Hamilton, "Nominated Candidates" | ||||||||||||
Ward 3
| Candidate | Popular vote | Expenditures | ||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Votes | % | ±% | ||||||||||
| Frank Crowder | ||||||||||||
| Larry Pattison | ||||||||||||
| Kory Preston | ||||||||||||
| Meagan Shanahan | ||||||||||||
| Total valid votes | ||||||||||||
| Total rejected, unmarked and declined votes | ||||||||||||
| Turnout | ||||||||||||
| Eligible voters | ||||||||||||
| Note: Candidate campaign colours are based on the prominent colour used in campaign items (signs, literature, etc.) and are used as a visual differentiation between candidates. | ||||||||||||
| Sources: City of Hamilton, "Nominated Candidates" | ||||||||||||
Ward 4
| Candidate | Popular vote | Expenditures | ||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Votes | % | ±% | ||||||||||
| Abby Zaitley (incumbent) | Acclaimed | |||||||||||
| Total valid votes | ||||||||||||
| Total rejected, unmarked and declined votes | ||||||||||||
| Turnout | ||||||||||||
| Eligible voters | ||||||||||||
| Note: Candidate campaign colours are based on the prominent colour used in campaign items (signs, literature, etc.) and are used as a visual differentiation between candidates. | ||||||||||||
| Sources: City of Hamilton, "Nominated Candidates" | ||||||||||||
Ward 5 & 10
| Candidate | Popular vote | Expenditures | ||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Votes | % | ±% | ||||||||||
| Theresa Maguire-Garber | ||||||||||||
| Logan Shields | ||||||||||||
| Todd White (incumbent) | ||||||||||||
| Total valid votes | ||||||||||||
| Total rejected, unmarked and declined votes | ||||||||||||
| Turnout | ||||||||||||
| Eligible voters | ||||||||||||
| Note: Candidate campaign colours are based on the prominent colour used in campaign items (signs, literature, etc.) and are used as a visual differentiation between candidates. | ||||||||||||
| Sources: City of Hamilton, "Nominated Candidates" | ||||||||||||
Ward 6 & 9
| Candidate | Popular vote | Expenditures | ||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Votes | % | ±% | ||||||||||
| Kathy Archer (incumbent) | ||||||||||||
| Todd May | ||||||||||||
| Total valid votes | ||||||||||||
| Total rejected, unmarked and declined votes | ||||||||||||
| Turnout | ||||||||||||
| Eligible voters | ||||||||||||
| Note: Candidate campaign colours are based on the prominent colour used in campaign items (signs, literature, etc.) and are used as a visual differentiation between candidates. | ||||||||||||
| Sources: City of Hamilton, "Nominated Candidates" | ||||||||||||
Ward 7
| Candidate | Popular vote | Expenditures | ||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Votes | % | ±% | ||||||||||
| Seth Floyd | ||||||||||||
| Bill King | ||||||||||||
| Marlon Picken | ||||||||||||
| Total valid votes | ||||||||||||
| Total rejected, unmarked and declined votes | ||||||||||||
| Turnout | ||||||||||||
| Eligible voters | ||||||||||||
| Note: Candidate campaign colours are based on the prominent colour used in campaign items (signs, literature, etc.) and are used as a visual differentiation between candidates. | ||||||||||||
| Sources: City of Hamilton, "Nominated Candidates" | ||||||||||||
Ward 8 & 14
| Candidate | Popular vote | Expenditures | ||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Votes | % | ±% | ||||||||||
| Duante Hillen | ||||||||||||
| Ben O'Reilly | ||||||||||||
| Bryan Johnson | ||||||||||||
| Total valid votes | ||||||||||||
| Total rejected, unmarked and declined votes | ||||||||||||
| Turnout | ||||||||||||
| Eligible voters | ||||||||||||
| Note: Candidate campaign colours are based on the prominent colour used in campaign items (signs, literature, etc.) and are used as a visual differentiation between candidates. | ||||||||||||
| Sources: City of Hamilton, "Nominated Candidates" | ||||||||||||
Ward 11 & 12
| Candidate | Popular vote | Expenditures | ||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Votes | % | ±% | ||||||||||
| Melissa Baxter | ||||||||||||
| Amanda Fehrman (incumbent) | ||||||||||||
| Total valid votes | ||||||||||||
| Total rejected, unmarked and declined votes | ||||||||||||
| Turnout | ||||||||||||
| Eligible voters | ||||||||||||
| Note: Candidate campaign colours are based on the prominent colour used in campaign items (signs, literature, etc.) and are used as a visual differentiation between candidates. | ||||||||||||
| Sources: City of Hamilton, "Nominated Candidates" | ||||||||||||
Ward 13
| Candidate | Popular vote | Expenditures | ||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Votes | % | ±% | ||||||||||
| Chris Slye | Acclaimed | |||||||||||
| Total valid votes | ||||||||||||
| Total rejected, unmarked and declined votes | ||||||||||||
| Turnout | ||||||||||||
| Eligible voters | ||||||||||||
| Note: Candidate campaign colours are based on the prominent colour used in campaign items (signs, literature, etc.) and are used as a visual differentiation between candidates. | ||||||||||||
| Sources: City of Hamilton, "Nominated Candidates" | ||||||||||||
Ward 15
Incumbent trustee Graeme Noble registered to run for re-election on May 25, 2026. Noble was first elected in 2022 with 53.04% of the vote.
| Candidate | Popular vote | Expenditures | ||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Votes | % | ±% | ||||||||||
| Anthony Nicholl | ||||||||||||
| Graeme Noble (incumbent) | ||||||||||||
| Total valid votes | ||||||||||||
| Total rejected, unmarked and declined votes | ||||||||||||
| Turnout | ||||||||||||
| Eligible voters | ||||||||||||
| Note: Candidate campaign colours are based on the prominent colour used in campaign items (signs, literature, etc.) and are used as a visual differentiation between candidates. | ||||||||||||
| Sources: City of Hamilton, "Nominated Candidates" | ||||||||||||
Catholic school board trustee elections
Ward 1, 2 & 15
Incumbent Mark Valvasori registered on May 21, 2026. He was acclaimed in 2022.
| Candidate | Popular vote | Expenditures | ||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Votes | % | ±% | ||||||||||
| Mark Valvasori (incumbent) | Acclaimed | |||||||||||
| Total valid votes | ||||||||||||
| Total rejected, unmarked and declined votes | ||||||||||||
| Turnout | ||||||||||||
| Eligible voters | ||||||||||||
| Note: Candidate campaign colours are based on the prominent colour used in campaign items (signs, literature, etc.) and are used as a visual differentiation between candidates. | ||||||||||||
| Sources: City of Hamilton, "Nominated Candidates" | ||||||||||||
Ward 3 and 4
| Candidate | Popular vote | Expenditures | ||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Votes | % | ±% | ||||||||||
| Ralph Agostino | Acclaimed | |||||||||||
| Total valid votes | ||||||||||||
| Total rejected, unmarked and declined votes | ||||||||||||
| Turnout | ||||||||||||
| Eligible voters | ||||||||||||
| Note: Candidate campaign colours are based on the prominent colour used in campaign items (signs, literature, etc.) and are used as a visual differentiation between candidates. | ||||||||||||
| Sources: City of Hamilton, "Nominated Candidates" | ||||||||||||
Ward 5
| Candidate | Popular vote | Expenditures | ||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Votes | % | ±% | ||||||||||
| Aldo D'Intino (incumbent) | Acclaimed | |||||||||||
| Total valid votes | ||||||||||||
| Total rejected, unmarked and declined votes | ||||||||||||
| Turnout | ||||||||||||
| Eligible voters | ||||||||||||
| Note: Candidate campaign colours are based on the prominent colour used in campaign items (signs, literature, etc.) and are used as a visual differentiation between candidates. | ||||||||||||
| Sources: City of Hamilton, "Nominated Candidates" | ||||||||||||
Ward 6
| Candidate | Popular vote | Expenditures | ||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Votes | % | ±% | ||||||||||
| Ellen Agostino (incumbent) | ||||||||||||
| Joanne Belanger | ||||||||||||
| Anthony Mari | ||||||||||||
| Total valid votes | ||||||||||||
| Total rejected, unmarked and declined votes | ||||||||||||
| Turnout | ||||||||||||
| Eligible voters | ||||||||||||
| Note: Candidate campaign colours are based on the prominent colour used in campaign items (signs, literature, etc.) and are used as a visual differentiation between candidates. | ||||||||||||
| Sources: City of Hamilton, "Nominated Candidates" | ||||||||||||
Ward 7
| Candidate | Popular vote | Expenditures | ||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Votes | % | ±% | ||||||||||
| Nick Agostino | ||||||||||||
| Kevin Duffy | ||||||||||||
| Luca Filice | ||||||||||||
| Total valid votes | ||||||||||||
| Total rejected, unmarked and declined votes | ||||||||||||
| Turnout | ||||||||||||
| Eligible voters | ||||||||||||
| Note: Candidate campaign colours are based on the prominent colour used in campaign items (signs, literature, etc.) and are used as a visual differentiation between candidates. | ||||||||||||
| Sources: City of Hamilton, "Nominated Candidates" | ||||||||||||
Ward 8 and 14
| Candidate | Popular vote | Expenditures | ||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Votes | % | ±% | ||||||||||
| Jessica Bonilla-Damptey | ||||||||||||
| Wieslawa Helena Chrapka | ||||||||||||
| John Valvasori (incumbent) | ||||||||||||
| Total valid votes | ||||||||||||
| Total rejected, unmarked and declined votes | ||||||||||||
| Turnout | ||||||||||||
| Eligible voters | ||||||||||||
| Note: Candidate campaign colours are based on the prominent colour used in campaign items (signs, literature, etc.) and are used as a visual differentiation between candidates. | ||||||||||||
| Sources: City of Hamilton, "Nominated Candidates" | ||||||||||||
Ward 9 and 11
| Candidate | Popular vote | Expenditures | ||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Votes | % | ±% | ||||||||||
| Tyler Iorio (Note 1) | Acclaimed | |||||||||||
| Total valid votes | ||||||||||||
| Total rejected, unmarked and declined votes | ||||||||||||
| Turnout | ||||||||||||
| Eligible voters | ||||||||||||
| Note 1: Iorio was appointed to fill a vacancy as Ward 7 HWCDSB trustee. Note: Candidate campaign colours are based on the prominent colour used in campaign items (signs, literature, etc.) and are used as a visual differentiation between candidates. | ||||||||||||
| Sources: City of Hamilton, "Nominated Candidates" | ||||||||||||
Ward 10
| Candidate | Popular vote | Expenditures | ||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Votes | % | ±% | ||||||||||
| Andrea Di Nicola | ||||||||||||
| Mary Nardini (incumbent) | ||||||||||||
| Total valid votes | ||||||||||||
| Total rejected, unmarked and declined votes | ||||||||||||
| Turnout | ||||||||||||
| Eligible voters | ||||||||||||
| Note: Candidate campaign colours are based on the prominent colour used in campaign items (signs, literature, etc.) and are used as a visual differentiation between candidates. | ||||||||||||
| Sources: City of Hamilton, "Nominated Candidates" | ||||||||||||
Ward 12 and 13
Incumbent trustee Phil Homerski registered to run for re-election on May 19, 2026. Homerski was re-elected for his second term in 2022 with 57.91% of the vote.
| Candidate | Popular vote | Expenditures | ||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Votes | % | ±% | ||||||||||
| Phil Homerski (incumbent) | ||||||||||||
| Kevin McKenna | ||||||||||||
| Paul Mercanti | ||||||||||||
| Christopher Xenos | ||||||||||||
| Total valid votes | ||||||||||||
| Total rejected, unmarked and declined votes | ||||||||||||
| Turnout | ||||||||||||
| Eligible voters | ||||||||||||
| Note: Candidate campaign colours are based on the prominent colour used in campaign items (signs, literature, etc.) and are used as a visual differentiation between candidates. | ||||||||||||
| Sources: City of Hamilton, "Nominated Candidates" | ||||||||||||
French language trustee elections
Conseil scolaire Viamonde
Incumbent trustee Pierre Gregory registered for re-election on May 15, 2026. He was acclaimed in 2022. Gregory withdrew from the race on July 29 without providing a statement for his withdrawal.[74]
| Candidate | Popular vote | Expenditures | ||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Votes | % | ±% | ||||||||||
| Sonia Macaluso | Acclaimed | |||||||||||
| Total valid votes | ||||||||||||
| Total rejected, unmarked and declined votes | ||||||||||||
| Turnout | ||||||||||||
| Eligible voters | ||||||||||||
| Note: Candidate campaign colours are based on the prominent colour used in campaign items (signs, literature, etc.) and are used as a visual differentiation between candidates. | ||||||||||||
| Sources: City of Hamilton, "Nominated Candidates" | ||||||||||||
Conseil scolair catholique MonAvenir
| Candidate | Popular vote | Expenditures | ||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Votes | % | ±% | ||||||||||
| Nathalie Dufour Seguin | Acclaimed | |||||||||||
| Total valid votes | ||||||||||||
| Total rejected, unmarked and declined votes | ||||||||||||
| Turnout | ||||||||||||
| Eligible voters | ||||||||||||
| Note: Candidate campaign colours are based on the prominent colour used in campaign items (signs, literature, etc.) and are used as a visual differentiation between candidates. | ||||||||||||
| Sources: City of Hamilton, "Nominated Candidates" | ||||||||||||
Notes
- Polls that share the same last date of polling are ordered from earliest (below) to latest 37 (above) first date of polling. Polls that have identical field dates are placed in the order in which they were released/published (earliest below, latest above).
- In cases when linked poll details distinguish between the margin of error associated with the total sample of respondents (including undecided and non-voters) and that of the subsample of decided/leaning voters, the former is included in the table. Also not included is the margin of error created by rounding to the nearest whole number or any margin of error from methodological sources. Most online polls (because of their opt-in method of recruiting panelists which results in a non-random sample) cannot have a margin of error. In such cases, shown is what the margin of error would be for a survey using a random probability-based sample of equivalent size.
- Refers to the total, "raw" sample size, including undecided and non-voters, and before demographic weighting is applied. Fractions in parentheses apply to rolling polls (see below) and indicate the proportion of the sample that is independent from the previous poll in the series.
- "Telephone" refers to traditional telephone polls conducted by live interviewers; "IVR" refers to automated Interactive Voice Response polls conducted by telephone; "online" refers to polls conducted exclusively over the internet; "telephone/online" refers to polls which combine results from both telephone and online surveys, or for which respondents are initially recruited by telephone and then asked to complete an online survey. "Rolling" polls contain overlapping data from one poll to the next.