Election squeakers shake Calgary council, mayor re-elected

Three incumbent Calgary aldermen were unseated during Monday night's municipal electionwhile the mayor cruised to a third election win, according to unofficial results.

In the city's tightest contest, Ward 8 saw the lead seesaw between incumbent Madeleine King and community activist John Mar all night before Mar pulled ahead with 31 per cent. Fewer than 200 votes separated the two.

Mar, a former RCMP officer, campaigned on a law-and-order platform in the southwest ward that has seen a recent increase in crime and is struggling with homelessness.

In Ward 3, the two challengers fought to replace incumbent Helene Larocque who trailed all night in third place.

Businessman Jim Stevenson edged out builder George Chahal to represent the expansive northeast ward.

Members of some community associations in Ward 3 criticized Larocque's style during her term, accusing her of taking credit for their events and accomplishments.

A surprise upset in Ward 6 left incumbent Craig Burrows looking for a new job, as Joe Connelly, president of a technology company, won 47 per cent of thevotes, compared to Burrows's 34 per cent.

"I was surprised but you know what, we came in and we had some polls saying 65 per cent approval rating," Burrows told CBC News Monday night.

"Unfortunately with apathy, the 35 per cent of people that wanted to vote against meexercised their right to vote, and some people stayed home and that's just the way it is in municipal politics."

Ward 12 incumbent Ric McIver captured a commanding 90 per cent of votes, while environmentalist Brian Pincott won in Ward 11, replacing retiring alderman Barry Erskine.

Mayor cruises to 3rd term

Mayor Dave Bronconnier celebrated a comfortable election victory over high-spending opponent Alnoor Kassam Monday night, winning with 61 per cent.

"That is very clear to me when I look at those numbers and overwhelmingly Calgarians are saying to me, you're in the right track, stay on the right track," Bronconnier said in an interview with CBC News.

Kassam spent $1.2 million on his campaign, calling for responsible management of Calgary's growth and a cap on election spending, but he ended the night with 17 per cent of the votes.

In a short speech about 90 minutes after the polls closed, Bronconnier thanked Calgarians for a strong mandate.

"We are going to move forward on … that very strong mandate that said yes, we are going to invest in our infrastructure, we are going to invest in the west leg of the LRT.…Yes, we are going to move forward on affordable housing."

Geophysicist Sandy Jenkins finished third in the mayoral race, while 19-year-old University of Calgary student Jeremy Zhao came in fourth out of the field of nine candidates.

Preliminary numbers indicated voter turnout would be higher than the dismal19.8 per centfrom the last municipal election in 2004.