{"id":950382,"date":"2026-10-29T07:48:20","date_gmt":"2026-10-29T07:48:20","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ca\/950382\/"},"modified":"2026-10-29T07:48:20","modified_gmt":"2026-10-29T07:48:20","slug":"winnipeg-votes-2026-how-election-night-unfolded-winnipeg-free-press","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ca\/950382\/","title":{"rendered":"Winnipeg votes 2026: How election night unfolded \u2013 Winnipeg Free Press"},"content":{"rendered":"

Follow along on election night as Free Press reporters filed updates as results poured in.\u00a0 Here\u2019s how the evening unfolded from when the polls closed at 8 p.m. to the count of the last ballot.<\/p>\n

\t\t\t\t\t\t\t9:51 PM<\/p>\n

Meseman new face of Transcona<\/p>\n

Transcona has a new councillor for the second time in 24 years.<\/p>\n

Lora Meseman, the executive director of the General Council of Winnipeg Community Centres, has been declared the winner of the east Winnipeg ward with about 32 per cent of the vote, according to unofficial results from the City of Winnipeg.<\/p>\n

Shawn Nason, who was the area\u2019s councillor from 2018 to 2022, finished second \u2014 461 votes behind \u2014 with about 29 per cent. Chris Giesbrecht finished third.<\/p>\n

Russ Wyatt, the beleaguered incumbent who vowed to run for re-election despite facing multiple sexual assault charges<\/a>, finished a distant fourth with about 11 per cent. He had held the seat since 2022 and was the councillor for the ward from 2002 to 2018.<\/p>\n

Nathine Dagdick came in fifth.<\/p>\n

\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tLora Meseman with her husband Jeff (Scott Billeck \/ Free Press) <\/p>\n

\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tRuss Wyatt (right) was unsuccessful in his bid for re-election. (Scott Billeck \/ Free Press) <\/p>\n

\t\t\t\t\t\t\t9:39 PM<\/p>\n

Brar takes Waverley West<\/p>\n

Jasmine Brar has won the council seat for Waverley West.<\/p>\n

Brar has 42.4 per cent of the popular vote, with 32 of 46 polling locations reporting, compared to her nearest opponent Nafiya Naso\u2019s 33.8 per cent.<\/p>\n

The council seat was wide open after long-time councillor Janice Lukes announced she would not seek re-election.<\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/p>\n

\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t(Morgan Modjeski \/ Free Press) Jasmine Brar poses with a congratulatory cake at her Pembina Highway campaign office.<\/p>\n

\t\t\t\t\t\t\t9:32 PM<\/p>\n

Smith in, Eadie out in Mynarski<\/p>\n

Ross Eadie is out after 16 years of leading Mynarski.<\/p>\n

Natalie Smith, who finished second to Eadie in 2022, has been elected with 31 per cent of the vote.<\/p>\n

Smith was endorsed by the Winnipeg Labour Council and the United Fire Fighters of Winnipeg, as well as Winnipeg Centre NDP MP Leah Gazan.<\/p>\n

Eadie finished second with 30 per cent of the vote. Harold Brazil finished third with 25 per cent.<\/p>\n

The crowded field also included Laurie Kozak (11 per cent), Terry Wachniak (3 per cent) and Ayaz Noor Mohammed (1 per cent).<\/p>\n

Eadie was first elected in 2010.<\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/p>\n

\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tNatalie Smith celebrates her win in Mynarski on Wednesday night. (Mikaela MacKenzie \/ Free Press)<\/p>\n

\t\t\t\t\t\t\t9:16 PM<\/p>\n

Durand-Wood wins another term in Elmwood-East Kildonan<\/p>\n

Emma Durand-Wood has won another term at city hall defeating four other candidates in Elmwood-East Kildonan.<\/p>\n

Durand-Wood had 39 per cent of the vote, while Chris Sweryda had 23 per cent securing the victory.<\/p>\n

Abel Gutierrez took 19 per cent of the vote while Jessica Wiebe had 9 per cent and Adam Dudek had 8 per cent.<\/p>\n

\t\t\t\t\t\t\t9:11 PM<\/p>\n

Browaty remains in North Kildonan<\/p>\n

Jeff Browaty will continue to represent North Kildonan at city hall.<\/p>\n

Browaty has 48.8 per cent of the popular vote, with 41 of 47 polling locations reporting, compared to his nearest opponent Orvie Dingwall\u2019s 38.7 per cent.<\/p>\n

Browaty has represented the ward as councillor since 2006.<\/p>\n

\t\t\t\t\t\t\t9:09 PM<\/p>\n

Allard re-elected in St. Boniface<\/p>\n

Matt Allard has been re-elected and will hold onto the council seat he has held for more than a decade.<\/p>\n

Allard held off challenges from three other candidates in Wednesday\u2019s municipal election taking 44 per cent of the vote in early voting.<\/p>\n

Nicholas Douklias, the owner of Greek eatery Helios Restaurant & Catering was in second with 26 per cent support in the ward, after also running and coming in second to Allard in the ward in the 2022 municipal election.<\/p>\n

Sylvie Schmitt, a two-term school board trustee with Division scolaire franco-manitobaine was in third in the ward with 22 per cent, while Robyn Vilde, a former Royal Bank of Canada employee and current bartender at the Norwood Hotel on Marion Street had received eight per cent.<\/p>\n

\t\t\t\t\t\t\t9:03 PM<\/p>\n

MacArthur replaces Orlikow in River Heights-Fort Garry<\/p>\n

A former city policy adviser has been voted the new councillor for River Heights-Fort Garry.<\/p>\n

Sara MacArthur was leading with 62 per cent of the vote as of 9 p.m., with 34 of 44 locations reporting, according to unofficial results from the City of Winnipeg.<\/p>\n

Challengers Georgina Sabesky and Jorge Requena Ramos received 26 per cent and 13 per cent of the vote respectively.<\/p>\n

John Orlikow, who was the councillor of the ward for 17 years, did not run for re-election.<\/p>\n

\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tCouncillor-elect Sara MacArthur speaks with supporters after being elected in the River Heights-Fort Garry riding during Wednesday’s municipal election. (Mike Sudoma \/ Free Press)<\/p>\n

\t\t\t\t\t\t\t9:01 PM<\/p>\n

Gillingham leads with almost half of polls reporting<\/p>\n

Gillingham leads with 39.81 per cent of the vote, with almost half of 245 tabulators reporting.<\/p>\n

Klein is sitting in second with 20.66 per cent, and Redden is close behind him after surging to 18.71 per cent.<\/p>\n

Vogiatzakis is fourth at 9.95 per cent.<\/p>\n

\t\t\t\t\t\t\t9:01 PM<\/p>\n

Sigurdson prevails in St. Vital<\/p>\n

A new councillor will represent St. Vital at city hall for the first time since 2011.<\/p>\n

Chris Sigurdson, a criminal defence lawyer and former Louis Riel School Division trustee won the seat receiving 60 per cent of the vote in early voting.<\/p>\n

Doug Reimer, a director at a gas company was in second place at 23 per cent. Season Kirkwood, whose business provides Red River M\u00e9tis history and culture programs to schools and other organizations came in third with 15 per cent of the vote.<\/p>\n

\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tChris Sigurdson celebrates with family and supporters at Tapps Neighbourhood Pub in St. Vital after being elected councillor for the riding of St. Vital, Wednesday. (RUTH BONNEVILLE \/ FREE PRESS)<\/p>\n

\t\t\t\t\t\t\t8:59 PM<\/p>\n

Ryback defeats Dobson in St. James<\/p>\n

Kelly Ryback will represent St. James at city hall.<\/p>\n

Ryback defeated incumbent councillor Shawn Dobson.<\/p>\n

Ryback has 45.5 per cent of the vote, with 31 of 46 polling locations reporting, more than 14 points over his nearest opponent, Tyler Crichton.<\/p>\n

\t\t\t\t\t\t\t8:57 PM<\/p>\n

McFarlane defeats Sharma in Old Kildonan<\/p>\n

A political newcomer has defeated the long-time incumbent in Old Kildonan.<\/p>\n

Greg McFarlane has defeated Devi Sharma in the ward. Sharma was first elected to city council in 2014.<\/p>\n

McFarlane has 55.9 per cent of the popular vote with 32 of 44 polling locations reporting, compared to Sharma\u2019s 37.6 per cent.<\/p>\n

\t\t\t\t\t\t\t8:54 PM<\/p>\n

Santos wins in Point Douglas<\/p>\n

Vivian Santos has prevailed in her re-election bid and will represent Point Douglas for a third term at city hall.<\/p>\n

The incumbent held off a challenge from candidate Mark Requinta receiving 64 per cent of the vote, while Requinta received 35 per cent in early voting.<\/p>\n

Santos was born in Portage la Prairie, the daughter of a single mother who immigrated from Taiwan and grew up in Winnipeg.<\/p>\n

Prior to running for office, she worked as a staff member for then-mayor Brian Bowman, and executive assistant to then-Point Douglas councillor Mike Pagtakhan.<\/p>\n

When Pagtakhan didn\u2019t run in 2018, Santos ran for, and won, the vacant seat. She was re-elected to represent the ward in 2022.<\/p>\n

\t\t\t\t\t\t\t8:48 PM<\/p>\n

Gillingham takes early lead in mayoral race<\/p>\n

Scott Gillingham\u2019s supporters broke into their first loud cheer around 8:45 p.m., when a TV screen showed he was leading with about 42 per cent of the vote.<\/p>\n

Early results gave him almost 48 per cent, but that total has come down slightly as more polls reported results.<\/p>\n

\t\t\t\t\t\t\t8:46 PM<\/p>\n

Redden moves into third in mayoral race<\/p>\n

Cheers and applause erupted from supporters at mayoral candidate Noah Redden\u2019s election night headquarters at 8:35 p.m. as early voting numbers showed he edged past rival Mike Vogiatzakis to take third place with 11.1 percent of the vote.<\/p>\n

Supporters at\u00a0 South Osborne\u2019s Royal Canadian Legion Branch 252 began chanting Redden\u2019s name while watching the results roll in.<\/p>\n

\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tMayoral candidate Noah Redden speaks to media after a third-place finish in Wednesday’s municipal election. (Mike Sudoma \/ Free Press)<\/p>\n

\t\t\t\t\t\t\t8:45 PM<\/p>\n

Dubois takes St. Norbert \u2013 Seine River<\/p>\n

Ray Dubois will represent St. Norbert \u2013 Seine River at city hall.<\/p>\n

The first-time councillor will fill the seat vacated by long-time councillor Markus Chambers.<\/p>\n

Dubois has 66.3 percentage points, with 30 of 47 polling locations reporting, over his closest opponent Louise May, who has 20.5 percentage points.<\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/p>\n

\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tRay Dubois celebrates his victory in St. Norbert – Seine River. (Mikaela MacKenzie \/ Free Press)<\/p>\n

\t\t\t\t\t\t\t8:36 PM<\/p>\n

Gilroy re-takes Daniel McIntyre<\/p>\n

Incumbent Coun. Cindy Gilroy has re-won the Daniel McIntyre ward.<\/p>\n

Gilroy is leading the race with 80 per cent of the vote, with 30 of 41 polling locations reporting.<\/p>\n

Gilroy has held the ward since 2014.<\/p>\n

Her opponent, Fred Morris, has 20 per cent.<\/p>\n

\t\t\t\t\t\t\t8:31 PM<\/p>\n

Duncan re-elected in Charleswood-Tuxedo-Westwood<\/p>\n

Incumbent Coun. Evan Duncan has been re-elected in the Charleswood-Tuxedo-Westwood ward.<\/p>\n

Duncan is leading with 86.9 per cent of the vote, with half of the polls reporting. His opponent, Dennis Bayomi, has 13.1 per cent.<\/p>\n

The 2022 election marked Duncan\u2019s first term.<\/p>\n

\t\t\t\t\t\t\t8:23 PM<\/p>\n

Support for embattled incumbent Transcona councillor low as polls close<\/p>\n

Just one supporter was at Transcona city councillor Russ Wyatt\u2019s election night headquarters as polls closed across Winnipeg on Wednesday.<\/p>\n

The embattled incumbent councillor, who faces multiple sexual assault charges, had yet to arrive at Dal\u2019s Restaurant by 8:15 p.m., as a handful of others began trickling in.<\/p>\n

Wyatt, who was charged with sexual assault and administering a noxious drug in April for an incident last December, and then again on the same charges in August for a separate incident, has held the seat since 2022, and was previously the councillor for the ward from 2002 to 2018.<\/p>\n

Wyatt was charged with sexual assault in 2018, and chose not to run in the 2018 municipal election. Shawn Nason won the seat that year, but was defeated by Wyatt in 2022, who regained the seat with 46 per cent of the vote.<\/p>\n

Wyatt is once again running against Nason, along with Lora Meseman, Chris Giesbrecht and Nathine Dagdick.<\/p>\n

\t\t\t\t\t\t\t8:00 PM<\/p>\n

Winnipeg voters have done their part, counting underway after polls close<\/p>\n

Early results from Winnipeg\u2019s municipal<\/a> and school board<\/a> elections are expected to begin rolling in soon, after polling stations closed at 8 p.m.<\/p>\n

Eligible voters who were waiting in line when polls closed will be allowed to cast ballots as long as they remain in line, as per election rules.<\/p>\n

Twelve candidates are running to become the mayor for the next four years: Mazher Alam, Johnny Calderon, Chris Clacio, Tracey Drexler, incumbent Scott Gillingham, Brad Gross, Umar Hayat, Kevin Klein, Joshua Pagdato, Noah Redden, Mike Vogiatzakis and Don Woodstock.<\/p>\n

An Abacus Data public opinion poll gave Gillingham a 32-point lead (among decided voters) over Klein in September.<\/p>\n

Gillingham\u2019s lead shrank to 17 points in a poll conducted Oct. 16-22<\/a>, while almost 60 per cent of 685 respondents said it\u2019s definitely or probably time for a new mayor.<\/p>\n

He became the city\u2019s 44th mayor in 2022 when he defeated 10 other candidates, including Klein and Glen Murray, after eight years as the councillor for St. James.<\/p>\n

This time around as the incumbent, Gillingham tried to position himself as the field\u2019s most credible candidate, citing his 12 years of experience on council, his first-term record and his relationships with the federal and provincial governments \u2014 on issues such as homeless strategies and infrastructure funding\u2014 among the reasons he deserves more time as mayor.<\/p>\n

After voting at Strathmillan School in Silver Heights this morning, Gillingham told the Free Press<\/a> he was grateful for all of the candidates who put their name forward.<\/p>\n

As polls closed, his supporters gathered at a St. James hotel in a room decked out with orange and blue lights, balloons and election signs. Screens showed the candidate\u2019s picture and the slogan \u201cLet\u2019s Keep Building Winnipeg.\u201d<\/p>\n

Klein, president and CEO of the company that publishes the Winnipeg Sun, and funeral director Vogiatzakis, finished second and third, respectively, among decided voters in Abacus Data\u2019s pre-election surveys. They jockeyed to position themselves as the best alternative to Gillingham.<\/p>\n

Earlier today, Klein told the Free Press<\/a> he was \u201cfeeling good\u201d after chatting with his wife about how tonight might go.<\/p>\n

Redden, a software developer, emerged as the leading left-of-centre candidate when a 10-point bump<\/a> in the latest opinion poll put him in joint third place with Vogiatzakis.<\/p>\n

Elsewhere, 54 candidates are vying for councillor in 15 wards and more than 90 total candidates are running for trustee in six school divisions.<\/p>\n

New councillors are guaranteed in five wards (Fort Rouge-East Fort Garry, River Heights-Fort Garry, St. Norbert-Seine River, St. Vital and Waverley West) where incumbents did not seek re-election.<\/p>\n

Every ward has a contested race, after two incumbents went unchallenged in 2022.<\/p>\n

The city set up 184 voting locations on election day, including in schools and community centres.<\/p>\n

A record 50,767 residents cast ballots during the advance voting period, a 21 per cent increase over 2022. Advance community locations were open for four days, up from three in previous elections.<\/p>\n

Overall voter turnout was 37.5 per cent in 2022, the lowest since 34 per cent in 1989, and 42.33 per cent in 2018.<\/p>\n

Four school division wards extend outside city limits, meaning polling stations in those areas are operated by the local municipalities and ballots are counted by hand. Results from those voting locations may be delayed, and winners may not be declared until Thursday, the City of Winnipeg said prior to election day.<\/p>\n

Elections are being held in most Manitoba municipalities today.<\/p>\n

Winds of change swept through some cities in B.C. and Ontario, including Vancouver and Mississauga, where voters elected new mayors this month. Toronto and Ottawa were among the cities that stuck with incumbents.<\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/p>\n

\u2014 Chris Kitching, with files from Matthew Frank<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"Follow along on election night as Free Press reporters filed updates as results poured in.\u00a0 Here\u2019s how the…\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":950383,"comment_status":"","ping_status":"","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[4],"tags":[49,48,44],"class_list":["post-950382","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","category-canada","tag-ca","tag-canada","tag-news"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ca\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/950382","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ca\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ca\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ca\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/2"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ca\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=950382"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ca\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/950382\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ca\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/950383"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ca\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=950382"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ca\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=950382"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ca\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=950382"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}