New female mayor voted in for Vernon

Published 10:47 pm Saturday, October 17, 2026

Kari Gares is Vernon’s new mayor.

The incumbent councillor has taken the top seat over former mayors Victor Cumming and Wayne Lippert in the general local election.

She celebrated the win alongside newly elected councillor David Scarlatescu Saturday, Oct. 17.

Gares topped the polls with 4,284 votes, followed by Lippert with 3,200 votes and incumbent mayor Cumming with 2,903.

“We had some incredible competition. I mean, running up against an incumbent and then obviously a past mayor, the race was super tight. At least that’s what I was expecting it to be, so I am super thrilled with the results and I just can’t wait to get to work,” Gares said moments after receiving the preliminary results, which sent her election party at The Fig in downtown Vernon into a frenzy.

Vernon’s new mayor is Kari Gares, and the councillor with the most votes is David Scarlatescu. Watch the celebration unfold: https://t.co/PfKzgpCeIV

— Vernon Morning Star (@VernonNews) October 18, 2026

Gares’ competitors both wished her well in defeat.

“All the best to Kari Gares as the new mayor, and the new council. There’s always enough issues to keep council lively. Vernon is a beautiful place, and I’ll be retiring now,” said Cumming.

“The people have spoken. Kari did a good job, and that’s democracy,” Lippert said. “I’m really proud of the team that helped me out and worked very hard on this campaign. I want to thank the people that did support me and voted for me. I think the message got through, certainly to Kari, that we have to bring common sense back. I congratulate her, she did a good job, and I look forward to the new council being in there.”

Lippert also thanked Victor for his past service as mayor.

“It’s not easy being the mayor and he did it for two terms, so he knows,” he said.

The following will be elected to council:

David Scarlatescu 5,353 votes

Barry Dorval 4,643

Dawn Tucker 4,180

Teresa Durning 4,139

Kelly Fehr 4,108

Rob Sawatzky 3,853

Scarlatescu, 28, said he is the youngest councillor in Vernon’s history. His post-election comments were emotional, and full of gratitude for the community.

“I lost my voice from shouting in celebration, but I’m really, really grateful,” he said. “I’ve dedicated my heart and soul to the people of Vernon. They are my people. This is my community.”

The following councillors missed being elected:

Diana Wilson 3,807

Sarah Moorhouse 3,108

Akbal Mund 3,033

Amy Klassen 2,905

Dustin Griffin 2,669

Wayne Carson 2,284

Dauna Kennedy 2,010

Kari Statham 1,612

Robert Cook 1,313

Gares is the second female mayor in Vernon’s history since Anne Clarke, who served from 1986-1990.