RUSSELL TOWNSHIP — Mike Tarnowski will remain mayor for another four-year term without having to fight a mayoral election campaign.
Tarnowski was acclaimed after the nomination deadline passed with no challenger for the mayor’s office, while a five-person race developed for four councillor positions.
“I’m honoured, obviously, to have been acclaimed,” Tarnowski said after nominations closed.
The councillor candidates are incumbents Charles Armstrong, Lisa Deacon and Jamie Laurin, along with Dominique Bertrand and Nick Gallagher. Current councillor Marc Lalonde is not on the candidate list for another council term.
Tarnowski described the uncontested mayoral race as bittersweet, but said he was grateful for “the trust and confidence placed in me by the community.”
He is urging residents not to treat the lack of a mayoral contest as a reason to tune out. The council elected in October will be dealing with recreation-complex debt, roads, water infrastructure, growth and the next phases of Notre-Dame reconstruction.
The voting period begins Oct. 21 at 9 a.m. and runs through Oct. 26 at 8 p.m. The Township is directing residents to its election site for voting methods, voter-list information and candidate details.
With four council seats and five candidates, every voter still has a competitive local choice to make.
Election 2026: Ask the Candidates, compare official responses, browse interview chapters and follow Election Night Live.