The unofficial results are in for Chatham-Kent’s 2022 municipal election.
And there are some very close finishes in a couple of the ward races.
With all of the tabulators reporting, 24,546 votes were cast, representing just over 30 per cent of the eligible voters in Chatham-Kent. That's down significantly from the 45.44 per cent turnout in 2018 and event the 42 per cent turnout in 2014.
In the mayor's race, Darrin Canniff cruised to victory, securing a second consecutive term as mayor. You can read more about that here.
Ward 1 – West Kent (Two seats)
In Ward 1, incumbent Melissa Harrigan (1,399 votes) and newcomer Lauren Anderson (1,331 votes) were elected to represent Tilbury and Wheatley. They took an early lead on challengers Sandy Maynard (718 votes) and David Serednicki (354 votes) and managed to hang on throughout the evening.
Anderson, a Wheatley resident who is set to become a first-time councillor, said she "feels amazing" about working with Harrigan going forward in Ward 1 and having a voice from Wheatley on CK Council.
"I actually hosted the last candidates debate four years ago and that's when I got to meet Melissa and since then, her and I have been talking weekly about Wheatley things because I was so local here in Wheatley," said Anderson. "Through campaigning, we've been supporting each other and this is the outcome we hoped would happen."
Ward 2 – South Kent (Three seats)
In Ward 2, incumbents Anthony Ceccacci (3,214 votes), Trevor Thompson (2,909 votes) led the way followed by newcomer Ryan Doyle (2,083 votes) who leap-frogged Mary Clare Latimer (2,082 votes) to win the third and final spot in the ward by one vote.
Latimer told CK News Today Monday night she was disappointed with the outcome, but she was also proud of the campaign she ran.
"I'll wait for the recount and certainly I wish all three of the candidates only the best... they are going to have some hard decisions to make and I hope that they all do their best to work together for the better good of all the community," said Latimer. "There really wasn't a rollercoaster [of emotions], I did my best and I can't do anything different."
Ward 3 – East Kent (Two seats)
In Ward 3, incumbents Steve Pinsonneault (2,049 votes) and John Wright (1,727 votes) were the early leaders and managed to pull away from challengers Morena McDonald (1,161 votes), Matt Lamarche (315 votes) and Martin Fisher (216 votes) to secure re-election.
Ward 4 – North Kent (Two seats)
In Ward 4, incumbent Jamie McGrail (1,506 votes) led the votes in her re-election bid, followed by Rhonda Jubenville (1,046 votes).
Jubenville, a first-time Chatham-Kent councillor, said she was on her toes as the results started coming in, but settled in once she was solidified in second place.
"I'm very excited for the next four years and I'm very thankful for the people of Ward 4 who had faith in me and went out to the polls and exercised their right to vote," said Jubenville. "I'm a little disappointed in the turnout... but maybe that's something we can try to work on in the future and get more people involved in voting."
Aaron Neaves (765 votes) and Jim Konecny (631 votes) finished third and fourth, respectively. Jason Sayer, Scott Killbride, Dennis Fox, and Steven Scott rounded out the candidates in that order.
Ward 5 – Wallaceburg (Two seats)
Incumbents Aaron Hall and Carmen McGregor have been acclaimed for the two available seats in Wallaceburg.
Ward 6 – Chatham (Six seats)
In Ward 6, incumbents Brock McGregor (5,329 votes) and Michael Bondy (5,146 votes) led the way, followed by newcomer Conor Allin in third place (5,095 votes), incumbent Marjorie Crew (5,056 votes) in fourth, Alysson Storey (4.776 votes) in fifth, and incumbent Amy Finn (3,900 votes) who finished in sixth place -- just ahead of seventh-place finisher Carson Warrener (3,890 votes).
Allin told CKNewsToday.ca that he was a bit nervous and excited going into the campaign, but added it's a "great feeling" to finish third.
"I'm just looking to hopefully grow with Chatham and make a positive impact on our community," said Allin. "We are a growing community and it just really depends on where we want to be as a city and a municipality, because there's a lot to be said for the future of Chatham-Kent."
Former CK councillor Derek Robertson came up just short in a bid to rejoin CK council (3,844 votes), and incumbent Karen Kirkwood-Whyte (3,487) missed out on her re-election bid.
Larry Vellinga, Dava Robichaud, Sheila M. Martin, Lynn O'Brien, Bonny Pigeon, Michael Gibbons, and Andrew Elliott rounded out the finishers in Ward 6.
English Public School Board
In the English public school board, D. Randy Campbell and Angela Richards were voted in to represent Wards 1, 2, and 3.
Janet Barnes was elected to represent Wards 4 and 5.
And Ruth Ann Dodman and Kelley Robertson were voted in to represent Ward 6.
St. Clair Catholic District School Board
In Wards 1 and 2, Brenda Rumble was elected as the trustee.
In Ward 3, Jann Tooshkenig was acclaimed as the trustee.
John VanHeck was acclaimed as the trustee for Wards 4 and 5.
David Argenti was acclaimed to serve as the trustee for Ward 6.
Conseil Scolaire Catholique Viamonde
David Paradis was acclaimed to serve as the trustee for the French public board.
Conseil Scolaire Catholique Providence
Robert Demers and Doris Sauve were acclaimed to trusteeships for the French separate board.