The biggest surprise of election night in Lethbridge on Monday came in the form of the top vote-getter for candidates running for Lethbridge council: Mark Campbell.
He will become one of two new faces on council after finishing with a total of 9,522 votes, according to unofficial results.
Campbell is a former Lethbridge radio and television personality.
In addition to his years on air, Campbell is a veteran of the city’s performing arts community, having taken on countless roles in local theatre productions.
He currently works for the Lethbridge Bulls of the Western Major Baseball League.
The other newcomer to council is Belinda Crowson, who finished in sixth place with 7,391 votes.
Crowson is a long-time educator with the Galt Museum & Archives. Over the years she has worked with southern Alberta students to share the history of the Lethbridge area.
Crowson says Lethbridge is a beautiful city with great potential.
Six incumbent councillors were re-elected: Joe Mauro, Jeff Carlson, Ryan Parker, Blaine Hyggen, Jeffrey Coffman and Rob Miyahsiro.
Liz Iwaskiw was the only incumbent to lose her seat, finishing in ninth spot with 5,680 votes.
Below is a look at the candidates who were running for councillor in Lethbridge.
Aileen Burke
Aileen Burke is a political science graduate from the University of Lethbridge.
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She is a former provincial NDP candidate in the riding of Livingstone-Macleod and has also run for the federal NDP in the riding of Macleod.
This is Burke’s first run at a seat on Lethbridge City Council.
William Craig Burrows-Johnson
Candidate biography not yet available
Mark Campbell
Mark Campbell is a former Lethbridge radio and television personality.
In addition to his years on air, Campbell is a veteran of the city’s performing arts community, having taken on countless roles in local theatre productions.
Campbell currently works for the Lethbridge Bulls of the Western Major Baseball League.
Jeff Carlson (Incumbent)
First elected in 2007, Carlson is seeking his fourth term on Lethbridge City Council.
He says he remains focused on having a strong, healthy community.
Carlson is proud of the city’s recent achievements, which include the Henderson Pool renovations and securing the funds for a new leisure centre.
Jeff Coffman (Incumbent)
Jeff Coffman is seeking his fourth term on Lethbridge City Council.
He served his first term from 1995 to 1998, then was re-elected during the 2011 byelection and again during the 2013 election.
Coffman says he’s dedicated to supporting and encouraging policies that move the city to a more business-like approach in its governance.
Belinda Crowson
A long-time educator with the Galt Museum & Archives, Crowson is seeking her first term on Lethbridge City Council.
Over the years, she’s worked with southern Alberta students to share the history of the Lethbridge area.
Crowson says Lethbridge is a beautiful city with great potential.
Clinton Germsheid
Candidate biography not yet available
Zachary Gibb
Zachary Gibb is a lifelong Lethbridge resident and describes himself as a committed citizen.
Gibb is the assistant store manager of the Real Canadian Superstore, where he’s worked for the past 12 years.
Gibb says he loves to work with people, listen and help them address their concerns.
Bill Ginther
Bill Ginther is seeking his first term on Lethbridge City Council.
He was named executive director of the Lethbridge Soup Kitchen in July.
Raymond Hoffarth
Raymond Hoffarth says he’s running for Lethbridge City Council to change the dynamic of how the city functions and to ensure citizens are informed.
Blaine Hyggen (Incumbent)
Blaine Hyggen is seeking a second term on Lethbridge City Council.
Hyggen is the owner of Copy Express in Lethbridge.
He wants to continue work to make Lethbridge the best place to work, play and raise a family.
Liz Iwaskiw (Incumbent)
Liz Iwaskiw is seeking her fourth term on Lethbridge City Council.
Iwaskiw is a professional mediator and holds a bachelors degree in political science from the University of Lethbridge.
Her mediation work has also taken her to Ireland and Northern Ireland, where she taught conflict management skills.
Kevin Layton
Kevin Layton is no stranger to municipal election campaigns in Lethbridge.
The local advocate for persons with disabilities will be running for a spot on city council for the sixth time, having run unsuccessfully in 2007, 2010, 2013 and in two byelections.
In the past, Layton has spoken out about making public transit more appealing.
Shelby MacLeod
Candidate biography not yet available
Joe Mauro (Incumbent)
A lifelong Lethbridge resident, Joe Mauro is seeking a sixth term on city council.
Mauro holds a sociology degree from the University of Lethbridge.
His professional career includes work in insurance, banking and finance, real estate and residential cabinet design.
David Mikuliak
Candidate biography not yet available
Rob Miyashiro (Incumbent)
Rob Miyashiro is seeking his second term on Lethbridge City Council.
Miyashiro is the executive director of the Lethbridge Senior Citizens’ Organization.
He says he wants to continue to help the city move forward and see projects like the ATB Centre through to completion.
Ross Morrell
Ross Morrell has called Lethbridge home for just under a decade.
He’s the owner of two vape shops in the city and is a founding member of the Canadian Vaping Association (CVA).
Morrell remains on the CVA board of directors, working to help the federal government in the development of vaping legislation.
Nick Paladino
Nick Paladino was born and raised in Lethbridge.
He spent 30 years with Lethbridge County, retiring in 2013 as manager of planning and development. He’s since consulted on various rural and urban development projects.
Paladino says his campaign is entirely self-funded.
Ryan Parker (Incumbent)
First elected in 1998, Ryan Parker became the youngest-known person to sit on Lethbridge City Council. Nearly two decades later, he’s seeking his seventh term in office.
Parker was born in Taber but moved to Lethbridge as a child.
He still believes he has much to learn and offer the citzens of Lethbridge.
Harold Pereverseff
Long-time Lethbridge resident Harold Pereverseff is taking his second run at a city council seat.
Pereverseff retired after a 37-year career in the public sector, seven of them with Canada Post, 12 with Border Services and 15 with Revenue Canada.
Pereverseff has recently become an outspoken opponent of the city’s residential curbside recycling program, which is set to begin in 2019.
John Pogorzelski
A Saskatchewan transplant, John Pogorzelski moved to Lethbridge in 2013.
Since relocating, Pogorzelski has been active in the community, helping to organize events like Latin Fest, the World Cup screenings downtown and Oktoberfest YQL.
He was also the first president of the Rotary Club of Lethbridge Mosaic.
Louise Saloff
Candidate biography not yet available
Joey Shackleford
Candidate biography not yet available
Jennifer Takahashi
Originally from Oregon, Jennifer Takahashi has called Lethbridge home for the past 12 years.
Takahashi says Lethbridge needs a city council that accurately reflects the make-up of the community.
She sees a city that’s growing and is facing some important decisions in the years ahead.
Bruce Thurber
Candidate biography not yet available
Stephnie Watson
Stephnie Watson is seeking her first term on Lethbridge City Council.
She took environmental science at the University of Lethbridge and believes in learning and understanding different points of view.
Watson says her campaign is based on sustainability, transit and emergency preparedness.
Davey Wiggers
Originally from the Netherlands, Davey Wiggers has called southern Alberta home since 1981.
Wiggers says his political passion is rooted in his desire for balance between fiscal responsibility and progressive issues.
He was also involved in 2016 rallies against the provincial government’s carbon tax.
Rena Woss
Rena Woss is a small business owner and a supporter of environmental initiatives.
Woss is actively involved with the Lethbridge Astronomy Society, Greensence and the London Road Neighbourhood Association.
She also ran for a seat on city council in 2013.
Candidates will become official after nomination day on Monday, Sept. 18.
Election Day is Monday, Oct. 16.
Are you running for councillor? Email tom.roulston@globalnews.ca
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