Congratulations to Brian Bowman: Winnipeg's New Mayor

Bowman and his wife celebrate the election victory.

With another election under wraps, Brian Bowman managed to thrash Judy Wasylycia-Leis 111,504 to 58,440 votes.  With the victory, Bowman becomes the first indigenous mayor of a large Canadian city.  The voters of Winnipeg also sent a strong message to the NDP, who backed Wasylycia-Leis. With the NDP approval rate hovering around 30%, it is clear Manitobans want change, and only a miracle can keep the NDP from being soundly defeated in the next Provincial Election.

Thomas Steen defeated.

In the City Council race, Jason Schreyor easily knocked off the incumbent, and ex-Winnipeg Jet Thomas Steen, who has been dogged by accusations of assaulting a woman at a Boston Pizza in the spring.  It did not do Steen any favors, when ex-Winnipeg Jet Bobby Hull, who also has a history of domestic violence, publicly endorsed Steen's campaign.  The move ultimately backfired for Steen's campaign, as Schreyor won the riding of Elmwood-East Kildonan.

Grant Nordman defeated

In other upsets, councilor Grant Nordman lost his seat to Shawn Dobson, in the St.Charles riding.  Long time councilor Harvey Smith went down in defeat, losing to Cindy Gilroy, in the Daniel McIntyre riding.  In all other City Council ridings, the incumbants managed to get re-elected.  

I congratulate all candidates who ran for office, and hope Bowman, and the new City Council can help lead Winnipeg into economic prosperity for the next four years.