[David A]

With Cartmell likely out, I see him working behind the scenes through the 4 BE winners to actively undermine Council. They may defect, but who knows!

Possibly but if so, does he follow the Bill Smith pattern and then run again successfully or the Mike NIckel one and run unsuccessfully?

However, all the money raised and the advantages given to parties doesn't seem to have helped him much. So I wonder if those on the right might instead look for a better candidate next time.

 

[SarcasticMarmot]

I don't think this result is as anti-party as it appears at first glance. All the vacant seats are currently taken by party aligned candidates. I think what we have learned is that the party $ advantage is not enough to overcome the incumbent advantage, but it does seem to be enough to get the all important name recognition in an open race. I suspect the pro-municipal parties crowd will see this result and expect that in a few election cycles party politics will dominate. Unfortunately.

 

[David A]

I don't this this result is as anti-party as it appears at first glance. All the vacant seats are currently taken by party aligned candidates. I think what we have learned is that the party $ advantage is not enough to overcome the incumbent advantage, but it does seem to be enough to get the all important name recognition in an open race. I suspect the pro-municipal parties crowd will see this result and expect that in a few election cycles party politics will dominate. Unfortunately.

Yes, except for the Mayoral race interestingly and importantly. It may be a half glass full, half glass empty outcome and which you look at more perhaps depends on your perspective.

However some of the right leaning incumbents not running again were also just replaced by like, so it may be too soon to conclude on the inevitability of parties or their failure.

 

[David A]

Not a surprise at this point, but here is the latest:

Edmonton Election 2025: Tim Cartmell concedes mayoral race, congratulates Andrew Knack

Unofficial results has Edmonton mayoral candidate Andrew Knack leading the race with 37.70% of the vote with 48 of 236 voting stations reporting.

edmontonjournal.com

 

[thommyjo]

I don't this this result is as anti-party as it appears at first glance. All the vacant seats are currently taken by party aligned candidates. I think what we have learned is that the party $ advantage is not enough to overcome the incumbent advantage, but it does seem to be enough to get the all important name recognition in an open race. I suspect the pro-municipal parties crowd will see this result and expect that in a few election cycles party politics will dominate. Unfortunately.

Idk if I fully agree.

Mike Elliot is replacing Cartmell in his own ward. It being even close between him and Jackie is crazy when Cartmell got like 70% last election. To me, that’s a huge downgrade in trust.

Friesen replacing Hamilton is also same for same. Again, Giselle is very close, so that seems like a downgrade in trust even if Darrell wins.

Reed Clarke is a bit of a standout. Rajah is very young and doesn’t have many connections in the business community for her wealthy west central ward areas. Whereas Reed has experience is business, sports, and philanthropy. Sort of the perfect mix for the glenora/crestwood crowd. He was also endorsed by Mandel (who didn’t support Tim, but Walters) and endorsed by Ryan Jesperson. Both are legacy figures in this ward.

Principe’s ward was a nothing burger.

 

[constance_chlore]

I don't this this result is as anti-party as it appears at first glance. All the vacant seats are currently taken by party aligned candidates. I think what we have learned is that the party $ advantage is not enough to overcome the incumbent advantage, but it does seem to be enough to get the all important name recognition in an open race. I suspect the pro-municipal parties crowd will see this result and expect that in a few election cycles party politics will dominate. Unfortunately.

It's hard to tell how much the party label really boosted name recognition. Reed Clarke and Michael Elliott at least were relatively famous well before the election (and their current margins aren't huge).

 

[CplKlinger]

Cartmell conceded to Knack. I'll never stop smiling when I think about the large companies and their executives that are out tens of thousands of dollars on their 'investment' Nothing against donating to candidates, I just don't want local elections to become a spending war like we see at other levels; it just snuffs out most independent folks who don't have a massive network with money to spend.

Tim Cartmell concedes mayoral race to Andrew Knack as results continue to arrive slowly

Tim Cartmell, the two-term city councillor who had had his eyes on the city's top job for more than a year, has conceded the mayoral race.

edmonton.taproot.news

EDIT: Knack was just asked about how he won despite the fundraising difference, and he quipped: "Yeah, I can't wait to see the dollar to vote count."

 

[Blizzard]

 

[policyenthusiast]

Letter from Tim Cartmell:

Last night didn’t turn out the way we hoped, but I can tell you this: I have never been more proud of the people standing beside me and the work we accomplished as a team over the last year.

First and foremost, I want to thank my wife, Cathy. She’s been by my side not just through this campaign, but through forty-one years since our very first date. Running for office, and serving as an elected official, is challenging. But through it all, I’ve always known that at the end of the day, Cathy and I will be together. I am supported, I am cared for, and I am loved — and that is what truly matters.

I also want to thank my kids. Being a family member of a politician isn’t always easy, but they’ve met every challenge with grace, patience, and humour. Our children are fine people — great citizens who are now beginning to lay down their own roots here in Edmonton. We are so proud of them.

To our volunteers, thank you. Your time, commitment, and faith in this campaign meant everything.

At the heart of every great team is a great leader, and our leader was Alex. A year ago, we started around a borrowed boardroom table, full of hope and ideas. Over the months, that small group grew into a movement. That transformation was possible because of Alex’s skill, professionalism, and determination.

Its also been an honour to run alongside the smart, dedicated candidates who made up our Better Edmonton team: Caroline Matthews, Miaya Brady, Joti Buttar, Mike Elliott, Josh Doyle, Nicholas Rheubottom, Karen Principe, Darrell Friesen, Banisha Sandhu, Stephen Hammerschmidt, Reed Clarke, and Harmon Kandola. Your commitment to public service and love for this city have been inspiring.

Over the past year, we brought forward ideas rooted in common sense, accountability, and collaboration. We believed city politics could be better and we did our best to stop the division on council.

We knocked on tens of thousands of doors, met people in every corner of this city, and listened. We heard frustrations about safety, about construction, about trust but we also heard hope. Hope that Edmonton can live up to its potential, that it can once again be a city of pride and purpose.

To those who supported me — thank you. To those who didn’t — thank you as well. Your voice matters, and it helps shape this city.

Running for mayor has been the honour of my life. Edmonton is a city built by doers — by people who work hard, fix what’s broken, and look out for their neighbours. That spirit will carry us forward, no matter who sits in this chair.

This afternoon I reached out to congratulate Andrew Knack. He has a big job ahead, and I truly wish him success. Because when Edmonton succeeds, we all succeed.

While last night might not be the result we hoped for, it is not the end of the story. We’ve started something important — a conversation about accountability, respect, and pride in our capital city. That doesn’t stop here.

Edmonton deserves leaders who listen, who plan carefully, and who build it better — and that will always be the kind of leader I strive to be.

Tonight, we say thank you. We hold our heads high. And we keep believing in this incredible city.

Thank you, Edmonton. It’s been an honour.

Best,
Tim Cartmell

 

[northlands]

^ That is probably the most likeable thing Cartmell has put out in the last 18 months.

 

[Avenuer]

^ That is probably the most likeable thing Cartmell has put out in the last 18 months.

He was his own worst enemy this election.

 

[policyenthusiast]

He was his own worst enemy this election.

The "Edmonton is broken" platform is objectively more difficult to get on board with than the "Edmonton is great" one.

It's a shame, Tim is a good guy and has been one of the stronger advocates for his ward. Too many good folks vying for the mayoral seat.

 

[BASE]

The incumbent advantage is really strong at the ward level, even Jennifer Rice isn't losing that badly right now. I thought there might be more dissatisfaction with the prior council but that assertion appears to be wrong. Hope for the best and that the group can navigate some real challenges.

 

[policyenthusiast]

Hoping for Thu or Giselle to pull ahead in sipiwiyiniwak - unfortunately I think the vote split will get us a Better Edmonton councillor.

 

[trevorhayden]

Gross