Recount Confirms Jeromy Farkas as Calgary’s New Mayor in Surprising Election Result

In a significant turn of events, Elections Calgary confirmed Jeromy Farkas as the new mayor following a recount of ballots. This recount took place on October 27 after a close mayoral election held on October 20.

Election Background

Farkas, an independent candidate, initially won the election against Communities First candidate Sonya Sharp, who finished as the runner-up. During the official count, Farkas led Sharp by 581 votes. However, the recount revealed a slightly larger margin, with Farkas winning by 616 votes.

Voting Statistics

The mayoral election attracted a total of 348,865 votes for eight candidates. Here’s a breakdown of the votes:

• Jeromy Farkas: 91,112 votes
• Sonya Sharp: 90,496 votes

This translates to Farkas securing 26.1% of the total vote, amidst a voter turnout of just 39.04% of eligible voters in Calgary.

Reactions to the Recount

Following the recount, Farkas expressed gratitude to Elections Calgary and the volunteers involved in the process. He emphasized the importance of the recount as part of the democratic system. In his statement, he recognized his team’s support during the campaign and the recount period.

Farkas also congratulated Sharp on her campaign efforts and expressed hope that Calgarians could still benefit from her dedication to public service. Sharp’s campaign has indicated that a response regarding the recount results will be forthcoming.

Future Outlook

Political analyst Lori Williams pointed out that Farkas was elected by just over 10% of Calgary’s eligible voters. She highlighted the importance for the new mayor to engage with constituents who did not vote for him, by addressing their concerns and fostering connections.

Farkas, along with Calgary’s new city council, will be sworn in on October 29 at a formal ceremony in council chambers. The new council comprises 14 members, including four incumbents and ten newcomers.