Gillingham wins second term as Winnipeg mayor

Scott Gillingham has been re-elected mayor of Winnipeg, winning a second term in the city’s Oct. 28 municipal election, according to unofficial results posted by the city.

With all 593 polls reporting, Gillingham received 80,206 votes, or 39.82 per cent. Former Progressive Conservative cabinet minister Kevin Klein finished second with 41,703 votes (20.71 per cent), followed by political newcomer Noah Redden with 39,962 (19.84 per cent) and Mike Vogiatzakis with 19,463 (9.66 per cent). Eight other candidates each took less than three per cent. Global News, CBC News and CTV News also reported Gillingham’s win.

Turnout was 37.96 per cent, with 202,649 ballots cast by the city’s 533,856 eligible voters, the city’s results page showed at 9:47 p.m. CT. The results are unofficial until the city’s election office certifies them.

In the 15 council races, the leading candidates by ward were Evan Duncan in Charleswood, Tuxedo and Westwood; Cindy Gilroy in Daniel McIntyre; Emma Durand-Wood in Elmwood and East Kildonan; Jeff Palmer in Fort Rouge and East Fort Garry; Natalie Smith in Mynarski; Jeff Browaty in North Kildonan; Greg McFarlane in Old Kildonan; Vivian Santos in Point Douglas; Sara MacArthur in River Heights and Fort Garry; Matt Allard in St. Boniface; Kelly Ryback in St. James; Ray DuBois in St. Norbert and Seine River; Chris Sigurdson in St. Vital; Lora Meseman in Transcona; and Jasmine Brar in Waverley West.

The closest council races were in Transcona, where Meseman led Shawn Nason by 460 votes, and in Elmwood and East Kildonan, where Durand-Wood won with 39.29 per cent of the vote.

Gillingham celebrated with supporters at the Birchwood Inn. “I still believe our city’s best days are ahead of us. We’ve accomplished a lot over the last four years, but there’s still so much more that we need to do,” he said, according to Global News.

He also addressed voters who backed other candidates. “Whether you voted for me or not, I want you to know I will be your mayor too. My door will be open. Your voice will matter,” Gillingham said.

He said he understands why some residents wanted change. “I know that people are worried about crime in their neighbourhoods, people struggling with homelessness and addiction, mental health,” he said, adding that he will work to resolve those concerns.

Klein conceded at his election night headquarters and said he had called Gillingham to offer congratulations. “It’s very hard to beat an incumbent,” Klein said. He said he hoped some of his team’s ideas would resonate as Gillingham begins another term.

Gillingham was first elected mayor in 2022 after serving two terms as a city councillor. Global News reported that during his first term council reopened the Portage Avenue and Main Street intersection to pedestrians, started upgrades at the North End Wastewater Treatment Plant and overhauled the Winnipeg Transit system.

The candidates had earlier traded barbs over the city’s ties with the province and taxes, as we reported during the campaign. Our guide explains how voting worked in Winnipeg’s Oct. 28 election.

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Sources: City of Winnipeg 2026 election results page (unofficial, as of 9:47 p.m. CT Oct. 28), with Global News, CBC News and CTV News reporting of the result. Photo: File photo of Winnipeg City Hall, Herb Neufeld, Wikimedia Commons, CC BY 2.0. Updated 9:30 p.m. MT with council and turnout results.