Tecumseh Voters End 35-Year Political Era in Decisive Turnout

A decisive vote on Monday night in the Town of Tecumseh ended a three-decade chapter in local government. Joe Bachetti secured the mayoralty, defeating incumbent Gary McNamara who had held municipal office since 1991. The result marked a complete turnover in the town’s top leadership positions, reflecting a strong preference among residents for change after nearly two decades of the previous administration.

The margin of victory was wide. Unofficial results show Bachetti received 7,017 votes, while McNamara garnered 2,704. Bachetti, who served as deputy mayor for the previous 12 years and as a councillor for 20 years, campaigned on a platform of direct accessibility. He described his approach to governance as a consistent effort to engage with residents, stating that he answered phones, visited sites, and provided solutions regardless of the outcome. He characterized the high turnout as evidence of neighborly support, noting that many voters told him they had already decided to back his candidacy before he even handed out campaign flyers.

McNamara, who first joined council in 1991 and became mayor in 2003, acknowledged the disparity in the vote counts. He expressed pride in his 31 years of service, which he described as a long run of contributions to the municipality. While admitting disappointment in the numbers, he congratulated Bachetti and his team on a hard-fought campaign. McNamara indicated he would step back to spend time with his wife, four grandchildren, and children, though he noted he still had energy for future involvement.

The election also reshaped the rest of the council. Tania Jobin, a former councillor, was elected deputy mayor with 5,773 votes, ahead of Larry Morand who received 3,558 votes. Five other individuals won seats on council. Darrin Drouillard received 1,370 votes, incumbent James Dorner received 1,594 votes, and Chris Elliott received 1,213 votes. Cheryl Hardcastle won with 781 votes, and Marisa Nabbout received 737 votes. The new slate represents a mix of returning incumbents and new faces taking office simultaneously.

The Municipal Clerk will certify all results on Tuesday, October 27. Until that certification is complete, the vote totals remain unofficial. The new mayor and council members are scheduled to begin their terms following the official confirmation process, marking the start of a new administrative phase for the town.