Today (April 10) is the final day for candidates to enter the race for Tantramar’s municipal election, with nominations closing at 2 pm this afternoon.
As of this morning, multiple races are taking shape across the municipality, with a mix of contested and potentially uncontested seats.
The race for mayor includes Sabine Dietz, Terry Jones, and Debbie Wiggins-Colwell.
Ward-level races vary. Ward 1 now has three candidates – Alyssa Greene, Jason Holmes, and Katelyn Olive – while Ward 2 has two candidates, incumbent Barry Hicks and Kenneth Hicks.
Ward 3 has the largest field with eight candidates running for four seats, including several incumbents.
In contrast, Ward 4 currently has a single candidate, Kristen LeBlanc, meaning that seat could be decided by acclamation if no additional nominations are filed before the deadline.
Ward 5 has two candidates, K.C. Hingley and Wayne Wells.
Whoever is elected will take office at a time when several major issues are already underway.
Those include ongoing pressure around NB Power and rising electricity costs, continued municipal budget implementation, and governance changes within Sackville Fire and Rescue following a multi-year workplace review.
Council will also be managing economic development decisions, infrastructure priorities, and increasing demand for community programming as the region moves into the spring and summer months.
As for incumbents, several current council members are running again, particularly in Ward 3 and Ward 2. However, not all previous representatives appear on the current candidate list, suggesting some turnover on council is likely.
Residents looking for more information can click the “Tantramar Votes” banner on chmafm.com, where you’ll find important dates, candidate details, and upcoming interviews.
Election day across New Brunswick is set for May 11.
