Airdrie is experiencing a competitive mayoral race, with seven candidates vying for the position recently vacated by Mayor Peter Brown. Brown, who held the office for 15 years, announced earlier this month that he would not seek re-election in the city of nearly 90,000 residents, located just north of Calgary.

The number of candidates has more than doubled in the week leading up to the nomination deadline for next month’s municipal elections. Among the candidates are current city councillors Tina Petrow and Heather Spearman, along with small business owner Dave Douglass, lawyer Usman Mahmood, Dylan Harty, Vern Raincock, and Eeshnah Qureshi.

In contrast, the City of Chestermere will see incumbent Mayor Shannon Dean acclaimed without opposition. Airdrie's election is notable for having the largest field of council candidates in the Calgary area, with 23 individuals competing for six city council positions, including four incumbents.

In Okotoks, a town with over 33,000 residents located south of Calgary, the number of candidates for mayor has tripled since September 13, now totaling three. Incumbent Mayor Tanya Thorn faces challenges from farmer and construction worker Colin Langenberger and musician Dwight Koenning. Additionally, 17 candidates, including three incumbents, are running for city council in Okotoks.

Meanwhile, in Chestermere, five of the six incumbent councillors are seeking re-election, facing challenges from seven other candidates in the city of 25,000 residents.

The political landscape in Airdrie has been marked by recent upheaval, including the firing of former Mayor Jeff Colvin and three councillors by the province in December 2023 due to alleged mismanagement.

In Cochrane, another rapidly growing community, two-term Mayor Jeff Genung is running against three challengers, including 12-year town councillor Morgan Nagel and British military veteran Dean Hopkins. The latest candidate to enter the mayoral race in Cochrane is Anthony Archer. There are 18 candidates, including four incumbents, competing for six town council seats in Cochrane.

Albertans will head to the polls on October 20 to elect municipal and school board representatives.