If the election were held today, here is how races would likely finish.
MAYOR (1 position)
Kevin ASHE
Incumbent, clean record publically, personable, ubiquitous and glad hands everyone, deep war chest, supported by many.
Janice FRAMPTON
Frampton has run this race before and did very well, finishing second. She may not be as well know in the new Pickering and will have to run a very strong and highly energetic campaign. Can she do it physically? Betting odds are not in her favour but she will finish high on the list. Odds on winning…low.
Lisa ROBINSON
Well known, much exposure, liberal views, centre of controversy, clear stands, spontaneiously outspoken, polarized views likely to attract similar thinking voters.ncumbent, clean record publically, personable, ubiquitous and glad hands everyone, de
Shaun RICKARD
Who? Generally unknown, unless he produces something noteworthy and becomes known by voters, not likely to get many votes.
Doug CORNELL
Another “Who is this person?” Also not likely to get many votes.
Zargham, RASSOL
An unknown, unless they produce something noteworthy and become known by voters, not likely to get many votes. Will garner ethnic vote but that will not be enough to win this race. Save your bet.
Andrea WOOD
Late registrant; unknown to majority of voters. Might be in the race for exposure, future entry, who knows? Not likely to garner notable number of votes.
WARD 1 (1 position)
The constituency to watch for excitement, rock solid campaigning and strong and effective efforts by its candidates….
James BLAIR
Who? That’s Blair’s problem. He’s an unknown and unless he can drastically change that, his odds of winning are very poor.
Maurice BRENNER (Rgnl)
Incumbent, rock solid reputation as councillor for many years, Mayor material, well known throughout the community and with the majority of voters. Solid bet to be returned but he knows not to presume and that every campaign demands effort and commitment. Brenner likely will deliver….solid bet to be returned.
Abdulla MIR
New comer but campaigning like an experienced pro. Knocking on doors and shaking hands everywhere; CV may be weak but he campaigns like a stalwart. He will make a decent show of it but it isn’t his time just yet. Solid candidate but save your bet.
Jamie NYE
Unknown candidate which will be his Achilles heel. Only path the decent results will be a lot of door-to-door handshaking. Otherwise, this candidate will find the campaign climb insurmountable. Save your bet.
Michael SAMLALSINGH
Another unknown candidate; not likely to garner significant votes, definitely not enough for victory. May be in it just for the exposure? Save your bet.
Jeremy STEINHAUSEN
And yet another unknown not likely to garner significant votes, definitely not enough for victory. May be in it just for the exposure also? Save your bet.
Prya VADIVEL
Yet another unknown but a dark horse who campaigns like Teddy Roosevelt, ‘speaking softly but carrying a big stick;” intelligent and successful business woman who that biz acumen to the political arena; picks her battles well and comes to each battle armed with her business success:, brains, productive perspective and diligent determination. This candidate should not be disregarded. Long odds but a nice bet. She will surprise many people. Place your bets on this dark horse.
Mohammed ZABAHIR
An unknown who likely believes ethnic community popularity can be translated to broader electorate. Not likely. Unless they produce something noteworthy and become more broadly known to the broader electorate chances of winning are unrealistic. May garner ethnic vote but tnot more. Save your bet.
WARD 2 (1 position)
This constituency has a couple of experienced incumbents and then some very strong newcomers who may scare the pants off of the incumbents….
Linda COOK
Incumbent, solid councillor in terms of attendance and known office performance; maybe presumptuously late to the race; odds on favourite to be returned.
Mara NAGY
Another incumbent; won her first campaign by hardwork and the mentorship of others; slow off the mark this campaign as being a new mother may have impacted her campaigning; not an odds on favourite, in fact, betting is against her return because there are some very strong candidates in this constituency race, Has fulfilled her duties as a first time councillor quite well, but the voters may not know her well enough. Not a good bet.
Nancy VAN ROOY
Rookie campaigner but professional background as solid as the Rock of Gibraltar. Police officer, DRPS Detective with strong reputation for being capable, professional and productive. She will need to develop her exposure to voters if she wishes for success. On paper, a very good candidate but her chance of winning depends on her campaign effort. Long shot but will not upset COOK unless latter stumbles and at this point, COOK is not showing self as being a formidable force. Her obstacles: Cook will be very strong once she starts, Van Rooy is relative unknown and finally, some voters still adhere to misogynystic values. Based on her credentials, Van Rooy has good odds but garnering enough votes to win, unlikely.
John MELOCHE
Very strong candidate based on persona, campaign launch, campaign material and personality. Meloche is a successful business man who presents himself well. He has the ‘Councilor image’ but voters are just becoming aware of him. This could be his Achilles heel. His campaign launch displayed charisma and attraction. Now can he convert this to the broader stage of the muncipal election generally. His campaign will have to develop much more to achieve his goal. Seeing him work the campaign stage shows he is the candidate to beat. Good solid bet but must overcome some formidable competitors.
Stacy LEPINE-FISHER
Who? Once again, a problem of being unknown. Unless she can drasticallly change that her odds of winning are against her. Save your bet.
Sam SNYDERS
Another less than well know. Has campaigned hard in the digital media but voters are not know for much use of it. So campaign will be Mount Everest escalation for Snyders unless he finds a way to become better known with voters. Save your bet.
Vince VIAPIANA
Another less than well know. Campaign work so far is unknown. A concerted effort at making himself known is crucial because of his current lack of familiarity with voters. So campaign will be Mount Everest escalation for Viapiana even if finds a way of becoming better known among the voters. Save your bet.
WARD 3 (1 position)
Two candidates…
Shaheen BUTT
Incumbent councillor, knows how to pull the campaign ropes, campaigns everywhere at every event. Safe bet to win.
Nada RAYKUMAR
An unknown from local ethnic community which may be her strength or may be her downfall. Canadian electorate has voted for ethnic minorities and female candidates but these have been known to be obstacles also. Likely in current race for exposure. Save your bet.
