Essex Election nominations close with many new names put forward just ahead of deadline

-Rob Shepley acclaimed as Deputy Mayor-

by Essex Free Press Staff

Nominations for the 2026 Essex Municipal Election officially closed at 2pm on Friday, August 21, and several new candidates filed just ahead of the deadline.

  The mayoral race in Essex will have two candidates, incumbent Sherry Bondy and Trevor Menard.

  There are five candidates seeking one of two Ward 1 – Essex Centre positions, including incumbent Katie McGuire-Blais, incumbent Joe Garon, Fred Groves, Andrew George, and Randy Voakes.

  Three candidates are vying to represent Ward 2 – McGregor, including incumbent Kim Verbeek, Ben Orlando, and Justin Power-Colenutt. There is one seat on Essex Council for this ward.

  Six candidates are hoping to earn one of two seats on Essex Council as a Ward 3 – Colchester rep, including incumbent Jason Matyi, Bill Baker, Corey St-Onge, Chris Vander Doelen, Ron Rogers, and Kyle Lefaive. Brad Allard did not rerun for the position.

  Three candidates are vying to be the sole Harrow rep, including incumbent Rodney Hammond, Rachael Mills, and Deb Peters.

  In addition, incumbent Rob Shepley was unchallenged as Deputy Mayor, acclaiming him to the position for his second term.

  Shepley was first elected as Deputy Mayor during the 2022 Municipal Election.

  “I am grateful for the opportunity to be the Deputy Mayor for the Town of Essex,” Shepley said, adding it is an honour to hold this position.

  Over the past four-year term, Shepley said he tried to listen and speak up when something did not make sense. He enjoyed working with fellow members of Council and administration on many projects.

  Looking ahead, he said there is a lot of work to be done. He will focus on keeping taxes and spending in check, and making good, responsible decisions in support of the community across all four wards. He will also work to ensure residents are heard at the municipal and county levels.

  He expressed gratitude to everyone who supported, challenged, shared concerns, and reached out to him over the past four-years.

  "I don’t take the position or trust for granted. I look forward to the work ahead,” he said.

  Shepley wished all candidates running for Mayor and Council positions all the best of luck.     

  All candidates were certified on August 24. The 2026 Essex Municipal Election will take place on October 26.

  Essex votes on a ward system, with residents voting on whom they would like to be their ward rep, which aligns with their geographic location within the municipality. Harrow and McGregor each have one Council rep, while Essex Centre and Colchester each have two.

  Successful candidates after the fall election will serve on their municipal Councils for a four-year term.  

  The Mayor and Deputy Mayor positions are voted at-large, meaning every eligible elector in the municipality votes on whom they would like for each of these positions. The Mayor and Deputy Mayor also represent the Town of Essex on County of Essex Council, which is comprised of the same position holders from Essex, Lakeshore, Leamington, Kingsville, Tecumseh, LaSalle, and Amherstburg.

     The schoolboard nominations are also running at the same time. Running are: David Keller and Jenna Knapp for the Greater Essex County District School Board, Mary DiMenna for the Windsor-Essex Catholic District School Board, Emmanuelle Richez for the Conseil Scolaire Viamonde, and Didier Marotte for the Conseil Scolaire Catholique Providence.  

  Election information can be found at www.essex.ca/elections.