New Leadership, Historic Wins, and Fresh Faces: Saskatchewan Votes '24
In an election night marked by close races, historic wins, and sweeping changes, voters across Saskatchewan took to the polls to shape the future of their municipalities.
Moose Jaw: A Landslide Victory
Moose Jaw voters gave a resounding mandate to James Murdock, who won in a landslide victory. Murdock received 5,437 votes, easily defeating his competitors. The runner-up, Crystal Froese, garnered 1,439 votes, while former mayor Clive Tolley, a familiar face in Moose Jaw politics, finished with 601 votes. Murdock’s significant win reflects the community’s appetite for change and confidence in his leadership as he takes on the role of mayor.
Weyburn: A New Mayor and Council
In Weyburn, Jeff Richards emerged as the city’s newly elected mayor, unseating incumbent Marcel Roy. Richards secured 1,755 votes against Roy's 855, with a small number of votes (21) going to Bruce Croft. This election included ballots from advance polls, mail-in voting, and special polls, underscoring the community's engagement in the electoral process.
The Weyburn City Council will see familiar and new faces. Kellie Sidloski received the most council votes, totaling 2,052, with 705 coming from advance polls. The council lineup also includes Todd Bedore (1,861), Larry Heggs (1,846), Laura Morrissette (1,808), Ryan Janke (1,783), and John Corrigan (1,574). Dana Pretzer and Lorrie Wiberg, who also ran for council, narrowly missed securing seats.
Estevan: A Close Race for Mayor
Estevan’s mayoral race ended with Anthony Sernick winning with 1,254 votes, edging out Rebecca Foord, who received 1,106 votes. Sernick and Foord, both seasoned council members, were running for the mayor's office for the first time. Zacch Vandenhurk, a new face in Estevan politics, came in third with 317 votes.
The Estevan council will welcome a blend of experience and continuity. Shelly Veroba led the council race with 2,175 votes, continuing her streak of topping the polls for the third straight election. She is joined by Kirsten Walliser (1,992 votes), Brian Johnson (1,762), Dave Elliott (1,464), Tom Mauss (1,233), and Matthew Dubowski (1,048).
Prince Albert: A New Mayor and Fresh Faces on Council
Prince Albert’s mayoral race saw a significant shift as Bill Powalinsky unseated long-time mayor Greg Dionne, securing 4,424 votes to Dionne’s 2,923. Brittany Marie Smith, an entrepreneur and new face in the race, finished third with 867 votes. Powalinsky’s victory marks a turning point for Prince Albert, as the city prepares for new leadership after more than a decade under Dionne.
The council will also see considerable change, with five new members joining and four incumbents retaining their seats. Dawn Kilmer in Ward 7 was re-elected, defeating former councillor Dennis Nowoselsky 492 to 378. The new faces on the council include Daniel Brown in Ward 1, Troy Parenteau in Ward 2, Bryce Laewetz in Ward 4, and Stephen Ring in Ward 5.
Humboldt: A Familiar Leader Returns
In Humboldt, Rob Muench returns to the mayoral office after receiving 988 votes. His challengers, Andrew Breker and Harley Bentley, earned 777 and 182 votes, respectively. Muench’s victory highlights his extensive experience and the trust he has built over his long tenure in city government, which includes prior terms as both councillor and mayor. This election marks Muench’s second time serving as mayor, a role he first held from 2016 to 2020.
Yorkton: New Mayor and New Council Members
Aaron Kienle is Yorkton’s new mayor, defeating former mayor Mitch Hippsley by a margin of just under 1,000 votes. Yorkton’s city council will feature a mix of experience and new voices, with two new councillors—Stephanie Ortynsky and Greg Litvanyi—joining the team.
Ortynsky’s vote count was the second-highest after incumbent Dustin Brears, suggesting strong community support. Re-elected councillors Quinn Haider, Randy Goulden, and Darcy Zaharia add continuity to the council.
Regina: Chad Bachynski Wins in a Strong Contest
Regina’s mayoral election saw Chad Bachynski defeat incumbent Sandra Masters, who was aiming for a second term. Bachynski held a solid lead throughout the night, finishing 3,400 votes ahead of second-place candidate Lori Bresciani and nearly 4,400 votes ahead of Masters. Bachynski captured 31.5% of the total vote, with Bresciani receiving 24.8% and Masters 23.1%.
Saskatoon: Cynthia Block Breaks New Ground as First Woman Mayor
Cynthia Block’s win in Saskatoon’s mayoral race is historic, as she becomes the first woman to lead the city. With all 82 polls reporting, Block won more than 30,000 votes, maintaining a lead of over 10,000 votes against her closest competitor, Gordon Wyant.
Block has served as a city councillor since 2016 and has focused on issues such as sustainable growth, public safety, and community engagement. Her election is a milestone for Saskatoon, and she will bring her experience and commitment to a new chapter for the city.
North Battleford: A Historic First for Kelli Hawtin
North Battleford also witnessed a historic win, as Kelli Hawtin became the first woman elected as mayor of the city. Hawtin’s win is a significant milestone, underscoring a growing trend of female leadership across Saskatchewan’s municipalities. She defeated two other candidates, Terence (Terry) Caldwell and Wayne Baptiste (Semaganis).
Hawtin’s victory is a step forward for gender representation in the city’s leadership and points to North Battleford’s progressive direction under her guidance.
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