Goderich mayor's race among upsets in midwestern Ontario

Mayor-elect Kevin Morrison unseated 17-year veteran Deb Shewfelt in Goderich, Ont.

One of the biggest upsets in Ontario on Election night came in Goderich. Residents elected Kevin Morrison as mayor, unseating incumbent Deb Shewfelt who had been the mayor since 1995.

Shewfelt was first elected mayor in 1975 but took some time off to raise a family. He was re-elected in 1995 and hadn't been challenged for over 17 years.

In the end, local restaurant owner Morrison captured 1,995 votes to Shewfelt’s 1,480.

A shocked and disappointed, yet classy as always, Shewfelt said “I feel like I've already won. I know the things we've accomplished and it comes from solid leadership. We got a lot of things done here in town, especially after the tornado. That was satisfaction to me. So I'm very satisfied.”

At his victory party on Goderich's Courthouse Square, Morrison said “We had the devastation of the tornado and we all worked through that but it's time to move Goderich forward when it comes to economic development, affordable housing, and programs for our youth. There's so much. Now's the time. Looking forward to a new council to move things forward here in Goderich.”

Elsewhere in Midwestern Ontario: