Mayor Linnsie Clark asnwers questions in front of city hall of Wednesday after announcing that she will apply for a judicial review of sanctions levelled upon her over a code of conduct breach. -- News File Photo
Medicine Hat News
*Final update of the night, coming at 1:55 a.m.–the News will continue up-to-date coverage when the city resumes counting in the morning.
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With more than 16,000 votes counted in the Medicine Hat municipal election, the News is able to project Linnsie Clark will retain her role as mayor for another four years.
Clark led with 32.4 per cent of the vote to Drew Barnes who was in second with 28.2 per cent. She had an early lead in her second election and held it, going wire to wire to retain her seat atop the council horseshoe.
While results are unofficial, it appears the citizens of Medicine Hat have elected to give Clark a second run after what was a tumultuous and often times controversial first term. She seemed to gain momentum following the official termination of CAO Ann Mitchell, which many Hatters saw as vindication for the mayor’s actions during the August 2023 dispute.
Barnes entered the race with political experience and a prominent name having served as an MLA of the provincial government for three terms. He spoke of bringing calm to the perceived chaos at city hall and emerged as an early front runner. Leading up to the election, both Clark and Barnes seemed to have momentum and strong support.
But in the end, Hatters chose Clark over change.
Regardless of the final totals, Clarke will not have nearly the mandate she had in 2021 when she received 66.4 per cent of the vote, amassing more than 13,000 votes. At 33 per cent, as of last update, her support has been cut in half and it appears likely she will have an entirely new council to work with.
Former councillor Kris Samraj will likely finish in third, he was sitting at 19.9 per cent at last update. Former police chief and current councillor Andy McGrogan was in fourth at 13.2 per cent. Alan Rose was in fifth at 4.6 per cent followed by Mark Fisher 1.7 per cent.
In the race for council, it appears incumbent Shila Sharps, who filed the original complaint against Clark that led to the mayor’s sanctions, is paying the price for it sitting 24th out of the 39 candidates as of last update. Meanwhile, both Robert Dumanowski and Alison Van Dyke sit ninth and 12th respectively, on the outside looking in.
The News is projecting Yusuf Mohammed, Ted Clugston, Stuart Young and Chris Hellman will all be elected to city council. An extremely tight race is unfolding for the final seats on council, with fewer than 65 separating seventh and 11th.
Updated as of 1:55 a.m. on Tuesday, Oct. 21
Election results for Redcliff and Cypress County can be found via clicking the hyperlinks. The News is able to call the Redcliff mayoral race and the Cypress County race. Results for both Redcliff and Cypress County can be found in the hyperlinks in the previous sentence.
Medicine Hat
Mayoral
Linnsie Clark (Incumbent) – ELECTED: 5,765
Drew Barnes: 5,016
Kris Samraj: 3,532
Andy McGrogan: 2,350
Alan Rose: 821
Mark Fisher: 303
Council
Yusuf Mohammed: 2.526
Ted Clugston: 2.275
Stuart Young: 2.200
Chris Hellman: 1.881
Cheryl Phaff: 1,295
Bill Cocks: 1,235
Kirsten Spek: 1,098
Dan Reynish: 1,083
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Robert Dumanowski (Incumbent): 1,068
Adam Koch: 1,066
Brian Varga: 1,036
Alison Van Dyke (Incumbent): 987
Brock Hale: 944
Pamela Kunz: 862
Immanuel Moritz: 858
Laura Butterfield: 855
Brian Robinson: 820
Steven Pudwell: 809
Jay Hitchen: 617
Kirby Schafer: 556
Kevin Monson: 548
Ron Fode: 519
Gordon Cowan: 504
Shila Sharps (Incumbent): 503
Troy Wason: 493
Kelly Allard: 451
Stephen Campbell: 440
Michael Reid: 429
Don Fedoruk: 426
Mark Albrecht: 421
Jodi Faith: 392
Dave Toth: 391
Clayton Stevens: 373
Christien Ellis: 366
Randall Noble: 347
Dana Christensen: 182
Kaleb Orge: 160
Donald Knudsen: 156
Micheal Starner: 139
Medicine Hat Catholic Board of Education Trustee
Chuck Hellman: 724
Kathy Glasgo: 654
Richard Mastel: 532
Bernard Thomas Kinch: 401
Patty Jo Folliott: 380
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Ray West: 367
Deanna Alford: 306
Monica Braat: 287
Alicia Doud: 255
Lindsay Heier: 190
One would think with the previous MESS at City Hall that the people would know better than to re-elect this Mayor? Sounds like a lot of slow learners still go out and vote……..I am sick and tired of MY PROPERTY TAXES GOING UP and up, and the WASTE OF TAX DOLLARS on freaking SOLAR FARM dreams……we don’t have the $$$$$ for these USELESS PROJECTS………haven’t we learned anything from the LAST CITY COUNCIL & MAYOR??? I guess NOT……..what a disgrace
One would think with the previous MESS at City Hall that the people would know better than to re-elect this Mayor? Sounds like a lot of slow learners still go out and vote……..I am sick and tired of MY PROPERTY TAXES GOING UP and up, and the WASTE OF TAX DOLLARS on freaking SOLAR FARM dreams……we don’t have the $$$$$ for these USELESS PROJECTS………haven’t we learned anything from the LAST CITY COUNCIL & MAYOR??? I guess NOT……..what a disgrace