The following candidates have put their names up for election as mayor for Winnipeg. CTV News has produced a list of the candidates who have filed papers to run for mayor and includes links to their sit-down interviews with Maralee Caruso. Candidates are listed in the order they registered. Election day is Oct. 28. Scott Gillingham (incumbent) Gillingham was elected mayor in 2022 after serving eight years as a city councillor for St. James. During his time as mayor, Gillingham oversaw an overhaul of Winnipeg Transit routes, reopened Portage and Main to pedestrians, and raised property taxes in 2025 and 2026 to address revenue shortfalls. He has also touted the increases in affordable housing starts and the creation of the Community Safety Team for downtown Winnipeg. Chris Clacio Clacio is running for mayor a second time, after previously running in 2022. He finished in last place among the candidates during the election. According to his candidacy announcement, Clacio said his focus includes a long-term vision for a more united city and better civic engagement. Mike Vogiatzakis Local funeral home owner Mike Vogiatzakis previously registered to run for mayor in 2014 but was not on the ballot. According to his campaign website, Vogiatzakis’ campaign focuses on reducing crime, increasing safety and changing the city’s transit system. Umar Hayat Real estate agent Umar Hayat is back on the ballot, after previously running in 2018. During that election, Hayat finished in sixth place among eight candidates. Hayat’s campaign is focusing on community safety, restoring the previous transit system and affordability for candidates. Mazher Alam Alam, a Winnipeg social worker, is running for the first time. Alam is campaigning on affordability, including a freeze on property taxes. Don Woodstock Security business owner Don Woodstock is running for mayor a third time, after running in 2018 and 2022. In the last election, Woodstock finished in ninth place for voting. Woodstock’s platform focuses on crime and public safety, addressing homelessness, and improving access to youth recreation. Joshua Pagdato Pagdato is running for mayor for the first time. His campaign is focused on supportive housing, improving city infrastructure and transit safety. Johnny Calderón Calderón is a Winnipeg comedian and entertainer who is running for mayor for the first time. He has posted online videos under the name “Drunk Jesus.” Noah Redden Redden is running for mayor for the first time. A software developer, his campaign focuses heavily on improving Winnipeg Transit, active transportation, and housing affordability. Brad Gross Gross, a real estate agent, previously ran for mayor in 2010, finishing in third place. He ran for councillor in St. Boniface in 2014, Old Kildonan in 2018 and Charleswood-Tuxedo-Westwood in 2022. Gross’ platform includes lowering taxes, improving safety and restoring the previous transit route system. Kevin Klein Klein, the publisher of the Winnipeg Sun and a former councillor and MLA, is running for mayor for the second time. He finished in third place during the 2022 election. Tracey Drexler Drexler announced her intentions to run on Sept. 9. She says her focuses if elected include community safety, the drug addiction epidemic, homelessness and the crimes that are tied to these issues. NOTE: Previously announced candidates Zac Uminski and Gagandeep Bawa did not end up making the final ballot on Sept. 22. Uminski withdrew from the race and Bawa was not on the list of final candidates.
