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Saskatchewan Municipal Elections 2016
October 20, 2016 - 12:02pm
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So voters in Saskatchewan choose their mayors and councils next week.
Most interesting, I see from afar, is Saskatoon. I saw a poll around Labour Day which had the current Mayor and left-wing challenger Charlie Clark tied at roughly 27%. What I find interesting is that when asked about their preferences, nearly 7 in 10 voters preferred someone other than the man currently there. You look at that, plust the fact that in 2012 Tom Wolfe essentially came out of nowhere and nearly beat him says something. If the "Scratch Atch" vote can coalesce behind one candidate, he is done. Interesingly enough, Atchison does lose, he will be the third consecutive Mayor to be thrown out of office.
Any word from Regina? Mike Fouguere became Mayor on a platform to continue on the right-wing path of his predecessor, Pat Fiacco. I haven't heard word of any challengers. Are there any? Is there any indication that the left will get past the fact that the wards are drawn to mingle urban and suburban wards, thereby putting the left at a structural disadvantage?
What about other cities? Will a strong left-wing showing have any implications for Brad Wall?
Any Saskatchewan people here who want to weigh in?
Atchison is tied with Kelley Moore, whose policies are in some ways similar to Athisons - offloading business tax onto residents, for example. Clark is further behind, though the polls are not necessarily to be trusted.
The Star Phoenix is reporting Charlie Clark ahead by 3000 votes with 8 polls left to count.
Atch scratched!
And a majority of women on council, and a strong progressive contingent. Well done.
Meanwhile, Regina had an election and nobody there noticed:
The thing that still perplexes me about Saskatoon politics is why Atch thought he had a chance to win this time around when in 2012 he nearly lost to a guy with no name recognition, no organized campaign, and no time to do anything about that.
He very nearly won this time. Things only turned around in the last week.