Who is officially running in Fort Erie’s 2026 municipal election?
May 9, 2026 at 3:35 AM
Fort Erie’s 2026 municipal election list has seven confirmed council candidates and one school board trustee candidate as of publishing, with no one yet officially running for mayor.
The town’s registered candidates list confirms five sitting councillors are seeking re-election: George McDermott in Ward 1, Nick Dubanow in Ward 2, Joan Christensen in Ward 4, Tom Lewis in Ward 5 and Ann-Marie Noyes in Ward 6.
Thomas Mete has also filed in Ward 5, making him the only confirmed challenger on the council list so far.
Danny DiLorenzo has filed for the English-language Catholic district school board seat. No candidate has registered yet to run for mayor, regional councillor or Ward 3, leaving those races without declared candidates early in the nomination period.
The nomination period runs until August 21 at 2 p.m. The municipal and school board election is scheduled for October 26.
Mayor Wayne Redekop at a regional council meeting last year. Credit: Niagara Region | YouTubeMayor Wayne Redekop has not yet registered to run for re-election. Redekop has served as Fort Erie’s mayor since 2014 and previously held the mayor’s office from 1997 to 2006.
Redekop won the 2022 mayoral race with 6,195 votes, or 67 per cent. Peter Taras finished second with 1,940 votes and Dan Favero finished third with 1,075, according to results posted by the Association of Municipalities of Ontario.
Ward 3 has no registered candidate listed. Darren Flagg currently represents the ward on council.
Candidates can only raise or spend campaign money once their nomination papers are filed and accepted by the municipal clerk. Candidates for mayor must pay a $200 filing fee. Candidates for council or school board trustee must pay $100.
Fort Erie candidates must also file 25 endorsement signatures from eligible voters. The clerk has until August 24 to certify or reject nominations.
The election will choose one mayor, six ward councillors and four school board trustees.
Salvation Army kettles raise $55,849 as food bank use climbs 40 per cent
Strong Fort Erie Neighbourhoods launches weekly service hub
Friendship Centre closes wildfire donation drive after surge of support
About The Author
Andrew Hawlitzky
Andrew is a Niagara community journalist who has covered everything from local politics to annual festivals and breaking news. He works to make local news a platform where community voices lead the conversation. "If you don't like the news, go out and make some!"
Stay Informed