Joe Preston will remain as the mayor for St. Thomas, Jerry Acchione will serve as Woodstock's new mayor and some other municipalities outside of London have elected new mayors.
Preston garnered 5,526 votes, defeating Heather Jackson by 2,614 votes. Greg McCart came in third. As far as its city council goes, St. Thomas is maintaining the status quo with all six incumbents re-elected.
Woodstock's mayoral race was close, with fewer than 200 votes between Acchione and David Hilderley. Just 171 votes separated the two from the title. Anthony Scalisi came in third, followed by incumbent Trevor Birtch, who took just over three per cent of the vote. Birtch filed papers to run for a third term this summer despite facing sexual assault charges.
Elsewhere in the region:
Andrew Sloan is the new mayor for Central Elgin, defeating Dennis Crevit.
Aylmer also has a new mayor. Jack Couckuyt defeated Tom Charlton for the spot after Mary French announced she would not be seeking re-election.
The Town of Tillsonburg also reported a close mayoral race with Deb Gilvesy defeating incumbent Stephen Molnar.
In Dutton-Dunwich, Mike Hentz was elected mayor, defeating Phil Gibson. Hentz succeeds Bob Purcell, who served as mayor for the municipality for one term.
In Thames Centre, former Deputy Mayor Kelly Elliot was defeated by Sharron McMillan.
Colin Grantham is the new mayor for Strathroy-Caradoc, defeating incumbent Joanne Vanderheyden.
