Farkas and Sharp in Tight Contest for Calgary Mayoralty

Unofficial results from Calgary’s municipal election indicate that either Jeromy Farkas or Sonya Sharp will become the city’s next mayor. As of 1:00 a.m. on October 18, 2023, Farkas, a former Ward 11 councillor and leader of the Communities First party, held a narrow lead of approximately 600 votes over Sharp, with 330 out of 380 polls reporting. Both candidates garnered around 27 percent of the votes, reflecting a tightly contested race.

The election night unfolded with heightened tension as candidates, including incumbent Jyoti Gondek, former Ward 6 councillor Jeff Davison, and former police commission chair Brian Thiessen, vied for the mayoralty. If Farkas or Sharp emerges victorious, it would mark the first time since 1980 that a challenger has unseated an incumbent in Calgary, a notable shift in the political landscape.

At a watch party held at Festival Hall in Inglewood, Farkas expressed gratitude to his supporters shortly after midnight. “I just want to say thank you to everyone who believed in me,” he stated. “You’ve proven that campaigns can be run with integrity and optimism.”

Meanwhile, at her campaign headquarters on 9th Avenue S.W., Sharp maintained her position, refusing to concede. “It’s still a really close call,” she remarked around midnight. “Clearly Calgarians want change, but we’re just not sure what that change looks like quite yet.” Sharp departed her gathering shortly after, indicating anticipation for the final results.

Incumbent Gondek, who made history in 2021 as Calgary’s first female mayor, was projected to finish third. During her concession speech at The Palomino, she thanked her campaign team for their efforts. “This didn’t end up the way that we had all hoped,” Gondek acknowledged, expressing pride in her administration’s accomplishments.

As the evening progressed, the atmosphere remained charged with uncertainty. With the final results expected in the morning, the outcome of this election could signify a pivotal moment for Calgary’s governance and direction. As citizens await the conclusion, the race highlights a palpable desire for change within the community.