Scott Gillingham is returning to city hall. Gillingham was elected Wednesday night to a second term as Winnipeg mayor Wednesday. He defeated former MLA and city councillor Kevin Klein, funeral director Mike Vogiatzakis, software developer Noah Redden and eight other candidates in the election. Gillingham served two terms as city councillor for the St. James ward, before being elected mayor in 2022 with just over 27 per cent of the vote. “Tonight, you have given me the honour of serving as your mayor once again, and I have to tell you, it means even more to me this second time,” said Gillingham. “Thank you, Winnipeg. I will never take your trust for granted.” During his time as mayor, Gillingham reopened the intersection of Portage and Main, created the Community Safety Team to address safety concerns in downtown Winnipeg, and oversaw an increase in new housing starts in the city. “We’ve accomplished a lot over the last fours, but there’s still so much more that we need to do, and tonight, I’m thinking even more about the work that is ahead even more than the work that we’ve already accomplished together.” Gillingham also addressed Winnipeggers who didn’t vote for him, saying he wants to be a mayor for everyone, and he is ready and willing to listen to all the concerns from residents. “I want you to know that I will be your mayor too. My door will be open, your voice will matter and I’ll work everyday to make this city better for your family and for my family.” Gillingham also congratulated everyone who ran for mayor and council, saying it’s not easy to run for office. “Everybody who does it deserves our respect and recognition tonight.” He ended his speech by saying he is optimistic about the city’s future, listing multiple projects from the North End treatment plant to all the downtown redevelopments. “We have come a long way together, but there is so much more work to do and I am grateful, I am humbled, I am thankful, Winnipeg, for the opportunity to keep doing that work with you.” Gillingham was also criticized for raising property taxes in 2025 and 2026 to address revenue shortfalls, as well as for an overhaul of Winnipeg transit routes that prompted complaints from residents. During the campaign, Gillingham promised action to renew and repair recreation infrastructure in the city, hiring more police and firefighters based on population growth and to expand the transit safety officer team. He has also promised a plan for long-term renewal of the north Main Street corridor, turn the Seine River corridor into a permanent recreational paddling and nature attraction and bring back the fall street cleanup in 2027. Klein defeated, decries ‘dirty’ campaign Seconds after CTV News declared the election, Kevin Klein called Gillingham to congratulate him. Klein finished second with just over 20 per cent of the vote. In his concession speech, joined by his wife, Klein said he was proud of the campaign he ran and the team he put together – calling them loyal and passionate. However, Klein did raise concerns with the amount of mudslinging he saw on the trail. “The campaign got dirty very fast. I am saddened by that. I was sad to see that happen in Canada,” he said, calling it the dirtiest campaign I’ve seen in a Canadian election. “It’s unfortunate that that is what it has to come to. But it is what it is. I’m proud of the fact that we stayed to our vision.” Klein said he respects all the candidates who put their names forward. When asked if he will be considering a run in other levels of government, Klein would say only that he plans to meet with his team to discuss next steps. He said he plans to hold a news conference on Friday to provide more details. Klein ended his speech by thanking the Winnipeggers who voted for him and believed in him. Surge of support for Redden Though he didn’t win, Noah Redden said he is proud of all the work he and his volunteers put into the campaign. Redden finished in third place in the mayoral race, with nearly 20 per cent of the vote. “I thought I’d do pretty well, but I think my expectations have been exceeded,” he said in an interview on Wednesday night. “This has just been a very lovely night. Regardless of the results, I’m just really proud that I was able to stand up for what I believe in.” At the age of 27, Redden was the youngest candidate on the ballot. He said his campaign shows that you don’t need to have years of experience to run in an election. “You can be white, you can be Black, and you can be Indigenous. You can be straight, gay, transgender, cisgender, it doesn’t matter,” he said. “You can run for what you believe in and I really do hope in the next election we see a lot more diversity in the field of candidates.” Redden said he doesn’t think this will be his last election and that he plans to spend a lot of his time volunteering over the next few years.
