Former city councillor and MLA Chuck Puchmayr will reclaim his former seat on city council while longtime councillor Bob Osterman has suffered his first electoral defeat in more than two decades.
Incumbent councillor Jonathan Cote topped the polls for the second consecutive election, winning 6,481 votes. Puchmayr, who had served on council from 1996 to 2005 and as MLA from 2005 to 2009, placed second in the polls with 5,802 votes.
Also elected to council were incumbents Jaimie McEvoy (5,505 votes), Lorrie Williams (5,385, Bill Harper (4,699) and Betty McIntosh (4,598).
"My thanks to my nominators, my arm twisters. Thanks to Amber, especially Amber," said Puchmayr of his longtime partner. "What she has endured over the years of me being in politics is unbelievable."
Puchmayr retired from politics in 2009 to deal with health issues. He received a life-saving liver transplant in January 2009.
Puchmayr spoke of the efforts of two longtime councillors who placed seventh (Cal Donnelly and eighth (Bob Osterman) in the council race.
"I have so much respect for both Bob and Cal. ... Bob Osterman has some good roots," he said. "I feel very sad for Bob. I know how this feels after the many years of great service he gave the community."
Donnelly said knew it would be tough to get re-elected with Puchmayr in the mix, but he campaigned hard.
"He's a spoiler," he said about Puchmayr.
Williams said "It's a great night for people who are progressive" and care about issues like affordable housing and homelessness.
Five of the six candidates elected to city council received support from the labour council and/or local members of Parliament and the MLA.
Cote said the election results show that they connected with voters and the messages they were conveying about issues like parks amenities.
"Critics will find something to criticize," McEvoy sad. "The election results will show the citizens saw through some of the claims being made."
While McIntosh received some support from unions, she wasn't part of the labour-endorsed slate.
"It's difficult in this city if you are not on the district labour council slate," she said. "Being an independent is very difficult."
McIntosh believes her presence at community events and her "community walks" helped her retain her council seat.
"I can only say one thing - special interests' money talks again," said John Ashdown, a Voice New Westminster candidate. "It was really big money this time."
Trailing behind those elected to council's six positions were: Donnelly (3,774); Osterman (3,360); Susan Wandell (3,171); John Ashdown (2,436); Gavin Palmer (2,355); David Noshad (2,176); James Bell (1,164); Vladimir Krasnogor (1,098); Gerry Liu (1,071); Harp Sihota (905); and Paul Mulangu (693).
