These Lower Mainland communities are guaranteed new mayors in tomorrow's election

With municipal voting stations set to open in less than 24 hours in communities across the Lower Mainland, there are numerous close races for council and mayor seats throughout the region.

And while calling election results before any results are actually announced can be a bold, sometimes risky move, there is one thing we can be sure of heading into election day tomorrow: Numerous communities will have a new mayor – regardless of who wins.

Yes, from as far east as Maple Ridge to as far west as Bowen Island, and points in between – including Vancouver – numerous sitting mayors have announced they are not seeking re-election in this year’s race.

As a result, communities that will have a new mayor regardless of tomorrow’s election results include:

Vancouver (Gregor Robertson)

After nearly a decade as Mayor of Vancouver, Gregor Robertson is calling it quits and will not be running for re-election in the fall municipal election.

Robertson’s tenure as mayor is the longest consecutive run in Vancouver’s history. He announced his decision in January of this year.

City of North Vancouver (Darrell Mussatto)

A councillor for 13 years and a mayor for 12, Darell Mussatto called his time in municipal politics “an incredible experience” and said it was an honour and a privilege to serve the community.

He made the announcement in early March, via a message on the city’s website.

District of North Vancouver (Richard Walton)

After first being elected mayor in 2005, and with 23 years of public service under his belt, District of North Vancouver Mayor Richard Walton announced at the end of March he would not seek re-election this year.

“With the Maplewood Area Plan almost complete, we finally have in place the last building block anticipated in our 2011 Official Community Plan. This is a logical time to step aside,” he said.

Surrey (Linda Hepner)

After becoming Mayor of Surrey in 2014, Linda Hepner is calling it quits, saying she will not be seeking re-election in this fall’s municipal election.

Hepner has been in public service for over three decades, beginning as the city’s corporate manager in 1985 before being elected to Surrey City Council in 2005. She served three terms on council before being elected as mayor.

White Rock (Wayne Baldwin)

After 30 years in the public service – 23 years as the City Manager and seven years as mayor – Wayne Baldwin announced in January of this year that he will not seek re-election this fall.

“After being elected to a second term as Mayor of White Rock, in December of 2014, I made the decision that this term was going to be my last term in office,” he said.

Maple Ridge (Nicole Read)

With no prior experience in municipal politics, Nicole Read was elected mayor of Maple Ridge in 2014.

She announced her decision not to seek re-election almost a full year before this election, going public with her decision in October 2017.

Port Coquitlam (Greg Moore)

After six years as a City Councillor, a decade as Mayor, and seven years as Metro Vancouver Board Chair, Port Coquitlam Mayor Greg Moore also announced last fall he would not seek re-election this year.

“I came into this realm of work as the youngest mayor in Port Coquitlam history and the youngest Chairperson in Metro Vancouver’s history,” Moore said in his announcement. “I leave the legacy of being the third longest-serving mayor in Port Coquitlam and longest-serving Chairperson in Metro Vancouver.”

Delta (Lois Jackson)

After sitting in the mayor’s seat since 1999, Delta Mayor Lois Jackson announced she won’t seek re-election this year.

That said, voters in Delta will still see Jackson’s name on the ballot, as she’s opted to run for a seat on council this time around.

Langley City (Ted Schaffer)

Longtime Langley City politician Ted Schaffer announced in a statement to city council late last fall he would not seek re-election this year.

Schaffer first entered municipal politics in 1990 and served until 2008, before taking a three-year break and then coming back.

Schaffer cited his health and the desire to spend more time with his family as reasons for his decision.

Whistler (Nancy Wilhelm-Morden)

After a several-decade career in civic politics, Whistler Mayor Nancy Wilhelm-Morden will not run for office in this fall’s municipal election.

Wilhelm-Morden served as a councillor for four terms during the period from December 1984 through December 2008. She was elected as mayor in December 2011 and again in 2014.

Bowen Island (Murray Skeels)

Once was apparently enough for outgoing Bowen Island Mayor Murray Skeels, who, after being elected to the city’s top position for the first time in 2014, announced he would not seek re-election in this year’s race.

Squamish (Patricia Heintzman)

After originally stating she planned to run in this years election, Squamish Mayor Patricia Heintzman announced in late August she had decided not to run after all.

Belcarra (Ralph Drew)

After more than three decades as mayor of Metro Vancouver’s smallest municipality, Belcarra Mayor Ralph Drew announced he would not seek re-election this year.

See also

• Opinion: Why it matters that young people vote in the Vancouver election
• City of Vancouver launches online election planner to help voters
• Everything to know about voting in this month's municipal election in Vancouver