Mayoral races in Oshawa, Whitby, Ajax, Pickering and the rest of Durham Region

Whitby, a fractured and scandal-plagued council during the last term, has a new mayor with tonight’s election of 25-year council veteran Elizabeth Roy.

With Don Mitchell not seeking re-election the race was wide open and Roy easily fended off the challenge from fellow councillor Deidre Newman, raking in 53.79 per cent of the vote, or 12,652 ballots. Newman pulled 39.76 per cent or 9,355 ballots. Griffiths came in a distant third at 6.45 per cent or 1,517 votes.

Ajax Mayor Shaun Collier easily claimed another four years at the head of the council table tonight taking more than per cent of the vote. Collier starts his second term as mayor after a long term on council under Mayor Steve Parish.

The four-man race saw Collier take 62.3 per cent or 11,691 ballots. Far behind came Arthur Augustine, Collier’s returning rival from 2018. He took 18.6 per cent of the vote from his 3,481 ballots.

Coming in toward at rear of the pack was Colin Hubble and Garry Reader who got 9.9 per cent (1,852) and 9.2 per cent respectively.

After a record-setting term in office from Dave Ryan, Pickering has a new mayor for the first time in 16 years. However, it was a photo finish to replace him.

Long-time councillor Kevin Ashe managed to claim the mayor’s chains with only six per cent more votes than the runner-up. Ashe has been on the Pickering council since 2003 serving in various roles and committees. His father, George Ashe was elected Pickering’s first mayor in 1973 before a long term as the then-town’s MPP.

Ashe squeaked to victory with 38.76 per cent of the vote, or 7,864 votes. His next runner-up Janice Frampton claimed 32.69 per cent of the vote or 6,634 ballots.

In third place came Bradley Nazar with 28.55 per cent of the vote from 5,795 ballots.

Oshawa Mayor Dan Carter had little trouble regaining his seat, rolling to an easy victory over Sara Lear and Joe Ingino. Carter finished with 14, 270 votes, vs 4,748 for Lear and 2,956 for Ingino.

Adrian Foster also scored a decisive victory in Clarington, earning his fourth term in the mayor’s chair with 8,607 votes to easily fend off challenges from Peter Neal (6,053) and Tom Dingwall (5,451).

In Brock Township Walter Schummer cruised to victory in the seat vacated by outgoing Mayor John Grant.

Schummer polled 2,026 votes to beat Ted Smith (1,048) and Ryan Williams.

Uxbridge – Dave Barton (Acclaimed)

Scugog – Wilma Wotton (Acclaimed)

The race for Durham Region Chair turned out to be anti-climactic as John Henry scored an easy win, returning for a second term with 64.4 per cent of the vote.

Laurie Blaind-Mackie, Peter Neal and Kurdil-Telt Patch finished far behind.