Wayne Wright swept to a fourth term as mayor of New Westminster with 62 per cent of support from voters.
While many perceived there would be a two-way race for mayor between the incumbent and challenger James Crosty, Wright easily won with 6,633 votes. Next came Crosty with 3,139 votes, Vance McFadyen with 826 votes and Francois Nantel with 207 votes.
"I am very pleased with it. I think the people have spoken," Wright said. "The city is ready to keep moving forward. I am ready to go to work. I've got an opportunity in front of me - I won't waste it."
Wright said he focused on his record and the need to keep the city progressing. He believes the City of New Westminster has elected a strong team for city council.
"I think this is saying, we are with you, keep going and let's get it done," he said.
Crosty said his team worked tirelessly on his campaign with little money.
"I know how to take a dime and make it a dollar," he said. "That is what I was hoping to do at city hall."
Crosty said his greatest disappointment was the 200 or so votes he got at the River Market polling station, which is located in his neighbourhood and in an area he has represented on numerous issues.
"I have worked my butt off at the Quay," he said. "To have that kind of result spoke to what people didn't do - come out and vote.
McFadyen said the mayor's race result was in line with what he had expected, but he's proud of the role he played in the campaign.
"I think I brought a sense of evenness, a sense of politeness," he said. "We will continue to have a great city. We have a great, strong mayor."
"I knew he was going to do well," former city councillor Calvin Donnelly said about Wright. "You can't work as hard as he works and not be recognized. He works very hard."
