By: Pam Wright, Local Journalism Initiative Reporter, Chatham Voice
It’s a ways out but the buzz around Municipal Election 2026 has begun.
Several incumbents on Chatham-Kent council are already on record that they’re running, while others said they are stepping away from political life.
In Wallaceburg, it means two seats will be coming open, as veteran councillors Carmen McGregor and Aaron Hall won’t be on the ballot this fall.
According to McGregor, she has really (for the most part) enjoyed her three terms on council, noting she learned a lot and made great friends along the way.
“I will always have the best interest when it comes to C-K and will continue to support my community regardless of my position,” McGregor said.
Hall, who has served two terms on council, said he’s completed his goal of representing Wallaceburg for two terms and will be moving on to other projects.
East Kent’s John Wright is another veteran councillor calling it quits.
“It’s time to retire,” Wright told The Voice. “I’m going to be 69 years old by the time the election’s done.”
Long-serving South Kent councillor Trevor Thompson is also hanging it up.
“You couldn’t acclaim me,” Thompson messaged in a blunt email statement.
North Kent’s Jamie McGrail is also stepping away from the council limelight.
“I’m grateful for serving this last two terms,” she said. “The experience has been great and I’ll always hold Chatham-Kent and North Kent in the highest regard.”
Others, including Chatham councillors Amy Finn and Conor Allin and North Kent’s Rhonda Jubenville, are saying yes to running for another term.
On the mayoral front, incumbent mayor Darrin Canniff said he’s undecided but if he does run he’ll continue to build on recent growth in Chatham-Kent.
“My focus will be on improving quality of life by investing in community services, infrastructure, arts and culture and opportunities that help residents and businesses thrive,” he said, noting “protecting affordability” will be top of mind.
Chatham councillor Micheal Bondy has publicly stated he will be running for the top job this fall. Bondy said he wants to “get back to basics” and restrain the current administration’s “hold” on decision making.
“We must reign in unchecked spending, stop building shrines and do what we are meant to do: fix the roads and sewer systems, maintain our parks, arenas etc.” Bondy said in an online message.
He said he would also seek provincial approval to restructure Chatham-Kent into a two-tier municipality with Blenheim, Ridgetown, Wallaceburg, Dresden and Chatham as formal lower-level entities within C-K.
Several councillors are on the fence and not ready to commit. This includes Chatham councillors Marjorie Crew, Alysson Storey and Brock McGregor; East Kent’s Morena McDonald; West Kent’s Melissa Harrigan and Lauren Anderson; and South Kent’s Anthony Ceccacci and Ryan Doyle.
Ceccacci said he’s “carefully evaluating” his decision.
“Over the next several months, I will continue to receive feedback and engage in further discussions regarding my decision,” he wrote, adding he’s also weighing in on ward boundary changes and the resulting loss of three councillors.
“I firmly believe that it is critical to ensure robust representation in our semi-urban communities and that is extremely important to me, “Ceccacci added.
Election 2026 will see the 18-member council reduced to 15 members (14 councillors and one mayor.) Under the new ward boundaries, North Kent will have one councillor instead of two; South Kent will have two councillors instead of three and East Kent will be drop to one councillor from two.
However, the number of wards will increase from six to eight, with Chatham being divided into three wards, rather than one at-large ward with six councillors. Ward 6 is Northwest Chatham; Ward 7 encompasses Northeast Chatham and Ward 8 includes south Chatham. Each of these wards will have two councillors.
The ward changes were adopted by council following a comprehensive study and review in spring of 2025.
The election takes place Oct. 26. The deadline to register as a candidate is Aug. 21 at 2 p.m.
