The 2026 Mayoral Candidates: Brantford & County of Brant
The 2026 municipal election is coming up, and residents in Brantford and the County of Brant will have an important local decision to make.
On Monday, October 26, 2026, voters across our community will head to the polls to elect their next municipal representatives, including the mayors of Brantford and the County of Brant.
With both current mayors choosing not to seek re-election, both communities will have a new mayor following this year's election. Brantford Mayor Kevin Davis is not seeking re-election, while County of Brant Mayor David Bailey has also announced that he will not run for another term.
If you live in Brantford, you will choose from seven certified mayoral candidates. County of Brant residents will choose from six certified mayoral candidates.
Here's a look at who's on the ballot and some of the issues they have publicly identified as priorities.
A note about this guide: This is intended to be an informational overview, not an endorsement or ranking of candidates. Candidate information and campaign platforms can change during an election campaign. Where a candidate has not published detailed information, we have noted that rather than making assumptions about their positions.
Brantford Mayoral Candidates
The City of Brantford has officially certified seven candidates for mayor:
Richard Carpenter, Dan McCreary, Richard Michael Misura, Mandy Samwell, Rose Sicoli Ricky Willdy and Leslie Bory,
Richard Carpenter
Richard Carpenter has represented Ward 4 on Brantford City Council since 1994, making him the longest-serving current member of Council.
His campaign emphasizes his experience in municipal government, along with community trust, healthcare, safer neighbourhoods, protecting green space, supporting families, regional partnerships and government transparency.
Carpenter has identified a new hospital as a major priority and has also spoken about strengthening relationships between Brantford, the County of Brant and Six Nations of the Grand River.
He has also called for greater public consultation and transparency around municipal decision-making.
Dan McCreary
Dan McCreary has served as the Ward 3 councillor since 2003 and has more than two decades of experience on City Council.
His campaign describes its approach as "Strong Sensible Leadership" and identifies priorities including financial responsibility, community safety, healthcare and transparency. His healthcare priorities include working with the province on a new hospital and supporting access to mental health and addiction services.
McCreary has also emphasized responsible spending, infrastructure, housing, economic growth and improving communication between City Hall and residents.
Richard Michael Misura
Richard Michael Misura is a retired local real estate agent and is running for mayor as a political newcomer.
He is one of the seven candidates officially certified by the City of Brantford.
As of late September, there is less publicly available detailed information about his campaign platform compared with several of the other candidates. For voters interested in his candidacy, checking his campaign information and asking about his priorities directly may be particularly useful.
Mandy Samwell
Mandy Samwell currently represents Ward 5 on Brantford City Council and is running on a people-first approach to municipal leadership.
Her campaign identifies five broad areas of focus:
- People-first leadership
- A safe and healthy community
- Affordability
- Growth with purpose
- Parks, trails, recreation, arts and culture
Samwell has also highlighted housing options, transportation, taxpayer value, community safety, healthcare and a new hospital as important issues. Her campaign emphasizes community engagement and involving residents earlier in municipal decision-making.
Rose Sicoli
Rose Sicoli has served as a Ward 1 councillor since 2021 and was appointed Brantford's Deputy Mayor for External Relations in 2025.
Her campaign's platform focuses on a healthy and safe community, including roads and transportation, public safety, healthcare and affordability.
Sicoli has identified the need for a new hospital, additional housing options, infrastructure investment, economic development and emergency services as important issues for Brantford's future.
Ricky Willdy
Ricky Willdy is a Brantford-born professional wrestler and community-event organizer running for mayor as an independent candidate.
His public campaign messaging has focused primarily on community building and civic pride, including supporting local events, youth and community organizations.
Compared with some of the longer-established municipal candidates, there is currently less detailed policy information publicly available about his positions on specific municipal issues.
Leslie Bory
Leslie Bory is running for mayor as an independent candidate. The City's official candidate list confirms his nomination for the 2026 mayoral election.
Public information about his campaign platform is more limited than that of several of the other candidates.
Public reporting has also covered Bory's 2025 criminal conviction and the subsequent appeal of his sentence. Because this is a matter of public record and has been reported by local media, voters may wish to review the available court and reporting information when researching his candidacy.
County of Brant Mayoral Candidates
The County of Brant also has a competitive mayoral race, with six certified candidates:
Jennifer Kyle, Christine Garneau Bisaillon, Graham Horner, David Swanson, Kent Hollett and Stuart Braid.
Jennifer Kyle
Jennifer Kyle has served as the County of Brant's Ward 1 councillor since 2022.
Her campaign, under the theme "A Stronger Brant Built Together," focuses on:
- Thoughtful growth and infrastructure
- Financial responsibility
- Strong provincial and federal partnerships
- Rural prosperity
- Transparent government
- Strong communities
Her platform emphasizes planning infrastructure ahead of development, strengthening the commercial and industrial tax base, protecting farmland and natural spaces, supporting rural communities and improving communication between the County and residents.
Christine Garneau Bisaillon
Christine Garneau Bisaillon brings experience in small business, farming, governance, land management and municipal politics.
Her campaign uses the themes "Real Engagement, Better Value, True Focus" and says its priorities include restoring public confidence, improving the County's financial position, managing growth and protecting Brant's rural and agricultural roots.
She has also raised concerns about infrastructure investment, communication with residents and the costs associated with major growth-related projects.
Graham Horner
Graham Horner is a St. George resident, farmer and farm equipment mechanic.
His candidacy was certified by the County on July 15, 2026.
As of late September, publicly available detailed information about his mayoral platform is more limited than that of some other candidates. Residents interested in his campaign may want to look for candidate appearances, interviews and campaign statements for more information about his positions on growth, taxes, infrastructure and rural issues.
David Swanson
David Swanson previously ran for County of Brant mayor in 2022 and is running again in 2026.
Public information about his current campaign has highlighted ideas involving basic income and the use of tax credits, although a broader detailed platform has been less widely published than some of the other campaigns.
His candidacy was officially certified on August 19, 2026.
Kent Hollett
Kent Hollett is one of the newer additions to the County of Brant mayoral race and was officially certified on August 21, 2026.
The County's official candidate list confirms his candidacy and provides his campaign contact information.
As of late September, detailed information about his platform is still less widely available publicly than the platforms published by some of the other candidates. Residents can follow his campaign directly and attend local candidate events to learn more about his positions.
Stuart Braid
Stuart Braid is running for mayor with a platform that emphasizes fiscal responsibility, government accountability, infrastructure, rural character and environmental protection.
His stated objectives include reassessing the County's roads and planning departments, protecting rivers and greenspaces, attracting and retaining businesses, preparing Paris and Brant County for future growth, and maintaining the character of small-town and rural communities.
Braid's background includes work with the Canadian Mental Health Association as well as experience owning and operating businesses in technology consulting and sports-related industries.
What Does a Municipal Mayor Do?
Municipal elections can sometimes receive less attention than provincial or federal elections, but local government decisions can have a very direct effect on everyday life.
Municipal councils make decisions involving areas such as:
- Roads and transportation
- Water and wastewater
- Parks and recreation
- Land-use planning and development
- Property taxes and municipal budgets
- Fire and emergency services
- Local economic development
- Housing and community planning
- Libraries and community facilities
- Environmental and natural heritage matters
- Local bylaws and municipal services
For homeowners, buyers, sellers, landlords and local businesses, municipal decisions can also influence how communities grow and how infrastructure keeps pace with that growth.
That makes issues such as property taxes, development, infrastructure, housing, transportation and long-term community planning particularly relevant to anyone who calls Brantford or Brant County home.
Brantford and Brant County: Two Different Mayoral Races
One important thing to remember when researching the election is that Brantford and the County of Brant are separate municipalities.
If you live in Brantford, you'll be voting for Brantford's mayor and City Council representatives.
If you live in the County of Brant, you'll be voting for the County's mayor and your County ward representatives.
That distinction is especially important in our area because communities such as Paris, Burford, St. George and Glen Morris are part of the County of Brant, while the City of Brantford is its own municipality.
The two communities also share many regional issues, which is why relationships between the City, County and Six Nations have come up during the mayoral campaigns.
How to Research the Candidates
With several candidates on each ballot, it can be helpful to look beyond campaign signs and social media posts.
Consider asking each candidate the same questions:
How would you manage growth?
What would you prioritize when it comes to roads and infrastructure?
How would you approach property taxes and municipal spending?
What types of housing does our community need?
How would you protect farmland, parks and natural areas while accommodating growth?
What would you do to support local businesses and economic development?
How would you improve communication between residents and municipal government?
How would you work with neighbouring municipalities and other levels of government?
Looking at the answers side-by-side can help residents understand where candidates agree, where they differ and which issues they have provided specific plans for.
When Is the 2026 Municipal Election?
Election Day is Monday, October 26, 2026.
The City of Brantford and County of Brant have official election pages where residents can find information about candidates, voting, registration and important election dates.
The City of Brantford's official certified candidate list can be found on the City's election website.
The County of Brant's official certified candidate list provides candidate names, contact information, websites and certification dates.
For County of Brant residents, the 2026 election will use online and telephone voting, with in-person voter assistance locations available during advance voting and on Election Day.
Local Elections Matter
Whether you live in Brantford, Paris, Burford, St. George, Glen Morris or one of the many rural communities throughout Brant County, municipal government plays a role in the places we call home.
This year's election will bring new mayors to both Brantford and the County of Brant, along with changes to municipal councils.
Take some time to learn about the candidates, read their platforms, attend a local debate or community forum if you can, and make sure you understand what will be on your ballot.
Your local government has a direct impact on your community. It's worth knowing who's asking for your vote and what they say they want to do with it.
More Resources
https://onac.ca/elections/races/brantford/
https://www.brantford.ca/your-government/municipal-election/candidates/
https://www.brant.ca/council-and-county-administration/elections/certified-candidates/
https://www.facebook.com/watch/?v=1608414417308638
https://www.brantfordexpositor.ca/news/local-news/brant-county-has-six-candidates-for-mayor
https://www.brantfordexpositor.ca/news/local-news/six-candidates-campaigning-to-become-brantfords-next-mayor