Essex Mayor Bondy Wins Re-election by 3,082 Votes

Sherry Bondy retains the Essex mayoralty following Monday's municipal election, defeating challenger Trevor Menard by a margin of 3,082 votes. Unofficial results show Bondy received 5,288 votes while Menard garnered 2,206. The outcome extends Bondy's hold on the office she first won in 2022, allowing her to serve a second consecutive term.

Bondy, who served as the Ward 4 councillor from 2010 to 2022, entered the race seeking to build on her initial mayoral term. Her political trajectory shifted from ward council to the mayor's chair in 2022, a position she now holds again. Menard, her primary opponent, attempted to unseat her but fell short in the final tallies.

The incoming council will feature a mix of returning officials and new members. Deputy Mayor Rob Shepley, an acclaimed official, will return to the council. In Ward 1, voters elected Katie McGuire-Blais and Joe Garon. Kim Verbeek will represent Ward 2, while Bill Baker and Ron Rogers won their seats in Ward 3. Rachael Mills secured the Ward 4 councillor position.

Several sitting councilors lost their seats in the vote. Jason Matyi, the incumbent for Ward 3, was unseated by the new slate. Similarly, Rodney Hammond, the former Ward 4 councillor, did not retain his position. These shifts alter the composition of the local legislative body heading into the new term.

Bondy attributed her victory to the work performed over the past four years rather than the final weeks of campaigning. She stated that the council "pinched pennies" and "invested in infrastructure" during her first term. Bondy expressed readiness to address resident concerns, noting that she could not wait to bring those issues back to the council chamber.

The new council will feature gender parity, a composition Bondy described as rare in Essex County. She emphasized that the group combines fresh voices with experienced members, stating that the council will "hit the ground running." Bondy said she is thrilled that voters chose her to lead the municipality again and is eager to get back to work.

The election results are currently unofficial. The full slate of elected officials will begin their terms following the certification of the vote. The council will now proceed with its legislative duties for the next four-year cycle, with Bondy presiding as mayor.