The mayoral race in Chatham-Kent (CK) has another candidate.
Ward 1 Councillor Lauren Anderson officially announced on Friday afternoon that she has entered the race.
She told CK News that something needs to change to help ensure the municipality can thrive.
"We can't keep doing the same thing over and over again and expect the results to be different, and what we're seeing is that the results keep getting worse," explained Anderson.
One example of something that needs to change that Anderson mentioned is the approach to the housing and homeless crisis.
"I would like to see us put more of a focus on illness prevention and health promotion, so how do we motivate people? There's something to be said about giving somebody some encouragement that they can do better, they can be better, they can be successful, they can be happy, and they can deal with their trauma," she said.
Another issue she wants to tackle is infrastructure. She specifically mentioned the lack of water capacity in CK, explaining that there's currently not enough water to supply any major development.
Anderson also believes the municipality should take advantage of the fact that it has both urban and rural communities.
"If you want to live in a city and live in a condo, you can do that in Chatham-Kent. If you want a 100-acre farm where you have no neighbours for a kilometre, you can do that in Chatham-Kent," she added.
If elected, Anderson noted she'll lead with care, accountability, and action, bringing a frontline perspective shaped by her work in healthcare.
“As a nurse, you see the pressures people are under every single day,” she said. “Care isn’t just about services, it’s about how we show up for people. Those experiences shape how you listen, how you lead, and how you make decisions," explained Anderson.
She officially submitted her nomination papers on Friday, the first day of the nomination period.
Long-time councillor Michael Bondy filed to run for mayor on Friday as well.
Mayor Darrin Canniff hasn't announced whether he'll run again.
CK's election will be on October 26, 2026.
