By Pam Wright
Local Journalism Initiative Reporter
With just over four months to go, 55 individuals are seeking a seat on Chatham-Kent council when residents go the polls Oct. 26.
In the past week four new faces threw their hats in the ring.
Chatham’s Ward 8 has two new candidates. Paul Graciano and Debbie Martin are now on the ballot running for two available seats. They join Sandra Dorner, Ryan Drouillard, John Duquette, Andy Fisher, Rick Nicholls, Stephani Shill, Scott Thompson and Luke Van Der Vliet in the race.
In Ward 2, Spencer Stinson stepped forward, facing off against five other candidates including Chad Carnie; Matthew Giffin, Matt Lamarche, Brad Snobelen and Hassan Tariq. Two seats are available.
In the race for one seat in Ward 3, Kyle Carter has added his name to the ballot. He’s running against Cory Couture, Mark Huston, Emery Huszka, Matthew Pietens and James Plunkett.
It’s status quo for the remaining wards.
Chatham’s Ward 6 has five candidates battling for two seats: Ben Labadie, Brian Machado, Sheila Moir-Martin, Karen Montgomery and incumbent Alysson Storey.
Ward 7 has nine candidates vying for two available seats: Steve Adkins; Michael Fife; incumbent Amy Finn; Dustin Gawne, Larry Hutchins, Steve Kenney, Marc King, Jason Reynolds and Doug Robbins on the ballot.
In Wallaceburg’s Ward 5: Brendan Authier, Loree Bailey, Steve Burritt, Jay Debuck, Zac Nicholson, Dave Hyatt and Chris Young are the hopefuls running for two available seats.
The contest for the mayor’s chair remains the same with five candidates: West Kent Coun. Lauren Anderson; Chatham Coun. Michael Bondy, Nelson Burm, incumbent mayor Darrin Canniff and Ryan Gow.
Ward 1 has four candidates in the contest for two seats: Mark Authier, Michael Bond, Andrea Palmer and Gerhard Taves.
In Ward 4: John Cummings, Kirk Hooker and incumbent Rhonda Jubenville are vying for one available seat.
Nominations are open until Aug. 21. Anyone interested in running can access the necessary information on the Municipality of Chatham-Kent’s webpage.
Editor’s note: This is the list of candidates available on the municipality’s webpage as of press time June 19. The list does not include school board candidates.
