Thunder Bay mayoral candidates reflect on voters' opinions

The three front runners in the Thunder Bay mayoral race are reflecting on the municipal election campaign, and the feedback they've received from citizens.

Keith Hobbs, Ken Boshcoff and Shane Judge agree it's been a long race, and each claims to be confident of crossing the finish line first.

• Get the latest Thunder Bay municipal election news
• Mix, match and create your dream candidate
• Thunder Bay mayor's debate changes opinions on event centre

Hobbs said he's encouraged by what he's hearing at the door.

"The biggest surprise when I'm knocking on the doors is the lack of conversation in regards to the event centre,” he said.

“I found that really odd, seeing as there's so much noise about it."

In contrast, Shane Judge said he's heard a lot about the event centre.

He said he's happy he made the project top-of-mind for many voters.

"It was important for my campaign that my particular viewpoint be dominant, if I was going to make any inroads,” he said.

“I was such an outsider in all of this. Through my campaign of focusing on one issue — I think the single most important issue to most people — was successful."

Ken Boshcoff said he's been through a lot of campaigns, and this one has been one of the toughest.

"I don't think I expected the attack, the smear kinda stuff, the organized letter writing from a group, from a small group."

However Boshcoff added he felt inspired and validated by “people's endorsement and remembering of the things I had helped them with over time.”

Hobbs said he was surprised he didn’t hear more about climate change.

“The environment was totally left off the table, and I think it's a really important piece. We saw the flood in 2012, and we really need to concentrate on that bit."

Three other candidates are on the ballot for mayor — Henry Wojak, Colin Burridge and Doug McKay.

Voters can make their choice starting at 10 a.m. Monday.