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Delta mayor's race looking like a barn-burner

Given the walk-over four years ago, any type of mayor’s race this fall would be a more compelling contest, but it looks like we’re in store for a real barn-burner.

Given the walk-over four years ago, any type of mayor’s race this fall would be a more compelling contest, but it looks like we’re in store for a real barn-burner.

The announcement by Jim Cessford last week means we now have three high-profile candidates chasing the mayor’s chair that will be left vacant when Lois Jackson steps aside after 19 years. After a relatively close race back in 1999, Jackson’s electoral victories had become progressively larger to the point where she was acclaimed in 2014 when no one came forward to challenge her.

There will be far more drama this time around as not only will we be without an incumbent for the first time in two decades, but Jackson’s three prospective replacements – two-term councillor Sylvia Bishop and former Delta CAO George Harvie had previously entered the race -- all come with impressive resumes.

Cessford spent 20 years as Delta’s police chief, so despite a lack of political experience, he knows the community well and might be the biggest change agent should voters be so inclined. As a long-time public servant with right-of-centre leanings, Cessford is similar to Harvie in that regard, so it will be interesting to see how voters differentiate the two and whether that pool is deep enough to accommodate the eventual winner.

Harvie has already made it clear he will campaign on a platform of building on Jackson’s accomplishments, and given her leadership was popular enough to result in six terms in office, it appears sound strategy, although with a pair of incumbents on both of the other slates (and none on his), I’m sure there will be some spirited discussions on the campaign trail over who deserves credit for what.

Having run for the NDP both provincially and federally, Bishop is still moderate enough to appeal to a cross-section of voters, and since Beth Johnson proved Deltans are willing to elect a left-leaning mayor, last election’s council poll topper could find fertile ground among those keen to maintain a small town feel.  

It’s hard to distinguish a clear front-runner and at this point it’s also difficult to determine if the race will be contested by just three. A potential fourth candidate could turn what would be a barn-burner into an election for the ages.