In what is easily the most consequential election in Halton Hills history, Ann Lawlor has won the mayor's seat. She beat out fellow council colleague Bryan Lewis by four percentage points with 5,323 votes.
Lawlor thanked her supporters, who she says were "absolutely incredible."
"There were probably 50 people who were supporting me. They were all shapes and sizes. A lot of them were various people whom I've met through my various projects," the beaming mayor-elect said from her celebratory gathering at the Barber Towne Pub.
Six new faces will be rising to the seats of councillor in the 2022 to 2026 term. Two of them are some of the youngest to ever be elected in the town's history, Alex Hilson and Joseph Racinsky. Their potential to bring a fresh, new perspective excites Lawlor.
"They will bring with them ideas that I think will continue to move us forward."
"We are a progressive municipality and I think that will continue too," she added.
Lawlor was first elected to council in 2010 as a Ward 4 councillor. That district will be represented by returning Councillor Bob Inglis and newcomer D'Arcy Keene.
The political veteran casts herself as a potential mentor to the newcomers.
"I'm looking forward to building a new team," she said. "Orientation and training and so forth is going to be important for anybody who is brand new on town council."
Lewis has taken the loss graciously, immediately extending his congratulations to Lawlor.
“I feel good, and I wish Ann nothing but the best,” he said from his gathering of supporters at the Club at North Halton. “It’s not all ‘woe is me.’ I haven’t reached for the Kleenex yet.”
He’s choosing to look at the positives right now and notes that he can finally spend more time with his family and attend his grandchildren’s events after serving on council for 22 years.
For more of our election night coverage, click here.
-with files from Melanie Hennessey
