County of Brant 2026 Election: Meet the Councillor Candidates Running in Each Ward

With the 2026 municipal election approaching, residents across the County of Brant will have the opportunity to choose who represents their communities on County Council.

From Paris and St. George to Burford and the surrounding rural areas, local government decisions can affect roads, housing and development, municipal taxes, recreation, infrastructure and the future growth of the community.

The County of Brant is divided into five wards, with two councillors elected to represent each ward. This year's election features candidates with a range of backgrounds and experience, giving residents an opportunity to learn about the people seeking to represent them.

Election Day is Monday, October 26, 2026.

Ward 1: Six Candidates Running for Council

Ward 1 has six candidates competing for two council seats.

• John MacAlpine – Official campaign website

• John Kemp – Facebook Post

• Denise Louise Dyment – Facebook

• Mary-Jane Brown – Official campaign website

• Steve Schmitt – Official campaign website

• Mike Petrella – Facebook Post

Residents can visit the candidates' websites, where available, to learn more about their experience, priorities and plans for the community.

Ward 2: Three Candidates Running for Council

Ward 2 has three candidates competing for two council seats.

• Steve Howes – Official campaign website

• James McCulloch – Campaign Facebook page

• Jeff Johnston – Facebook Video

With three candidates seeking two positions, Ward 2 voters will have a choice between the candidates' different backgrounds, priorities and approaches to local government.

Ward 3: Seven Candidates Running for Council

Ward 3 has seven candidates competing for two council seats.

• John Peirce – Official campaign website

• John Bell – Official campaign website

• Emad Yosif – Official campaign website

• David Spencer – Official campaign website

• Clifford Atfield – Brant Votes

• Arooj Shaikh – Facebook

• Riley Mulholland – Brant Votes Interview

Ward 3 residents can review the candidates' available campaign information to compare their positions on local issues and decide who they would like to represent their ward.

Ward 4: Eight Candidates Running for Council

Ward 4 has eight candidates competing for two council seats.

• Robert Chambers – Official campaign website

• Corey Donn – Campaign Instagram page

• Andrea Bowden – Campaign Facebook page

• Elaine Tully – Official campaign website

• Heather Keam – Facebook 

• Claudine Craigie – Official campaign website

• Glenn Hughes – Official campaign website

• Ben Clement – Official campaign website

With eight candidates on the ballot, Ward 4 residents have several options to consider. Reviewing each candidate's experience, priorities and proposed approach to community issues can help voters make an informed decision.

Ward 5: Three Candidates Running for Council

Ward 5 has three candidates competing for two council seats.

• Ella Haley – Official campaign website

• Mike Gatopoulos – Official campaign website

• Sonia Brown – Official campaign website

Ward 5 voters can explore each candidate's campaign information to learn more about their priorities for the County of Brant.

What Does County Council Do?

County Council makes decisions that help shape the future of the municipality. Councillors participate in discussions and votes on municipal budgets, local services, infrastructure, land-use planning and community development.

These decisions can have an impact on residents, homeowners, businesses and people considering moving to the County of Brant.

As the municipality continues to grow, issues such as where new housing should be built, how infrastructure will support new development, how municipal spending is managed and how rural areas are protected may be important topics for voters to consider.

Residents should review the candidates' own campaign materials to understand their individual positions. The list above is intended to help voters find candidates and their publicly listed campaign pages, rather than endorse any particular candidate.

How to Find Your Ward and Learn More

Not sure which ward you live in? The County of Brant provides an official ward map and election information online.

Here are two useful resources:

Official County of Brant Certified Candidates List – Find the full list of candidates and their available campaign links.
County of Brant Elections Information – Review election details, voting information and other official resources.
Expositor Ward 1 – Review election details, voting information and other official resources.
Brant Votes Website - Interviews and content on all candidates 

Make time to learn about the candidates before voting. Reading campaign platforms, reviewing proposed priorities and considering how candidates plan to address local issues can help you decide who best represents your interests and your community.

Candidate information and campaign links were compiled from the County of Brant's official certified candidates list. Candidates without a website listed are not necessarily without an online presence. Please consult the official County website for the latest election information.