The record number of candidates running in Chatham-Kent's (CK) municipal election continues to grow.
As of August 7, 2026, 75 people have put their names forward.
Six people are officially running for mayor, while the remaining 69 are seeking one of the 14 available councillor positions.
Mayor: Six Candidates
Ward 1 (Tilbury, Wheatley): Six Candidates
Ward 2 (Blenheim, Ridgetown): 10 Candidates
Ward 3 (Bothwell, Thamesville): Seven Candidates
Ward 4 (Dresden, Mitchell's Bay): Three Candidates
Ward 5 (Wallaceburg): 11 Candidates
Ward 6 (North West Chatham): Seven Candidates
Ward 7 (North East Chatham): 13 Candidates
Ward 8 (South Chatham): 12 Candidates
None of the previous four municipal elections came close to the same number of candidates. The election in 2022 saw 43 candidates, there were 51 in 2018, 53 in 2014, and 50 in 2010.
The municipality was unable to access any election records before 2010, so there could have been a larger pool of candidates sometime between amalgamation in 1998 and the election in 2006.
The number in 2026 is expected to rise as the nomination period won't close until August 21, 2026.
