OLDS – Mitch Thomson has won the Town of Olds byelection, according to unofficial results released Monday night.
Thomson garnered 349 of 1,047 votes cast, including from advanced polls held Jan. 3 and 4 and the byelection held Monday, Jan. 20.
The byelection was called following the resignation of councillor Wade Bearchell.
The other candidates in the byelection were Keith Bishop, Sundai Cody, Darcy Dobush, Rudolph (Rudy) Francis Durieux, Janice Thompson, and Darren Wilson.
Wilson garnered 282 votes, Durieux 133, Bishop 110, Dobush 73, Thompson 62 and Cody 38.
In an interview Monday evening, Thomson said he looks forward to getting down to work.
He said three key issues for him as councillor will be “looking at the vacancies in our commercial areas”, “working to be a good advocate for the community as we grow into a small city” and having council work collaboratively with partner organizations.
“I recognize of course that I’m just one vote on council,” said Thomson, 45. “I plan to be a very strong voice on council. I’m looking forward to doing what I can to support the community.”
Originally from Lethbridge, he moved to Olds in 2009.
He is the current executive director of the Olds Institute, a non-profit community development organization. He has held that position for six years.
He commended his fellow candidates in the byelection.
“It was a good campaign,” he said. “It was a healthy discussion and there was some really good candidates. It was a good discussion.”
Asked if he plans to run in the 2021 general municipal election, he said, “absolutely.”
Although he has never held public office before, Thomson did run for the Conservative Party of Canada nomination in the Red Deer riding in 2018.
Town of Olds returning officer Marcie McKinnon said she was pleased with the byelection voter turnout.
Of the approximately 7,270 persons eligible to vote in the byelection, 1047 people voted.
