How the tightly contested races in Anirniq, Ipiihkoohkanipiaohtsi played out on election night
When Edmonton's municipal election came to a close Monday night, there were two races still too close to call.
“It’s kind of like waiting for Santa Claus to come in the form of a trick-or-treat because you don’t know if you’ll be successful or not,” Bev Esslinger, outgoing councillor for Ward Arnirniq, laughed.
It was early Tuesday morning that Erin Rutherford got word that she had ousted the incumbent Esslinger by just 273 votes.
“I just felt overwhelmingly excited, optimistic, hopeful and really, really supported by the voters of Edmonton and my volunteers,” Rutherford recalled.
“You don’t run four or five months and give it your all and think you’re not going to be successful,” Esslinger told CTV News Edmonton.
It was bittersweet for Esslinger who just eight years ago was the only woman on city council,and while she’s not headed back to city hall, she feels like she’s paved the way for more women to make headway in politics.
“Eight years later there’s eight women on city council and as much as I would love to be with them, to feel that, I’m just very proud that we have that many that stepped up and will continue the work,” she said.
“I’m very excited for the young fresh female faces that will be there, as well as having a leader that will help us move forward,” Rutherford added.
While Arnirniq will have new leadership, Rutherford said she and Esslinger have a lot of similar passions and will continue to “carry that torch” with some new energy and new ideas.
The other tightly contested ward was Ipiihkoohkanipiaohtsi — separating two of the candidates by a few dozen votes as of Tuesday.
Jennifer Rice won against Rhiannon Hoyle by 33 votes, which might trigger a recount.
“We felt very strong to the very end,” Hoyle said.
When the energy in the room started dying down late into the night, Hoyle said she jumped into action and “cracked open the bubbly,” turned up the music and her team started sharing stories of their “amazing campaign.”
“Even though it was a very intense evening, it was an evening full of love and positivity as a good campaign should be. We trust the process.”
Rice didn’t get ahead of herself Monday night, waiting until the bitter end to hear if she would stay ahead of Hoyle in the polls.
“I’m not a career politician,” she said. “But, I do believe I have ability, I have passion and I have a skillset that can serve our city council very well and bring a different perspective to move our city towards where most people want to be.”
Rice had campaigned on a promise to improve city services without the burden being placed on taxpayers. She said it was the biggest complaint she heard while out door knocking.
“I do believe it’s time for me to give back to our wonderful city and our wonderful community.”
With files from CTV News Edmonton’s Ryan Harding
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
Quebec man who threatened Trudeau, Legault online sentenced to 20 months in jail
A Quebec man who pleaded guilty to threatening Prime Minister Justin Trudeau and Premier François Legault has been sentenced to 20 months in jail.
Suter scores late goal, clinches series for Canucks
Pius Suter scored with 1:39 left and the Vancouver Canucks advanced to the second round of the NHL playoffs with a 1-0 victory over the Nashville Predators on Friday night in Game 6.
The kids from 'Mrs. Doubtfire are all SUPER grown up now, and we're not OK
The adorable trio of child actors from the 1993 classic comedy 'Mrs. Doubtfire,' which starred the late and great Robin Williams, are all grown up and looking back on their seminal time together.
Hulk Hogan, hurricanes and a blockbuster recording: A week in review of the Trump hush money trial
Crucial witnesses took the stand in the second week of testimony in Donald Trump's hush money trial, including a California lawyer who negotiated deals at the center of the case and a longtime adviser to the former president.
Britney Spears 'home and safe' after paramedics responded to an incident at the Chateau Marmont, source tells CNN
A source close to singer Britney Spears tells CNN that the pop star is 'home and safe' after she had a 'major fight' with her boyfriend on Wednesday night at the Chateau Marmont in West Hollywood.
A Chinese driver is praised for helping reduce casualties in a highway collapse that killed 48
A Chinese truck driver was praised in local media Saturday for parking his vehicle across a highway and preventing more cars from tumbling down a slope after a section of the road in the country's mountainous south collapsed and killed at least 48 people.
Drone footage shows Ukrainian village battered to ruins as residents flee Russian advance
The Ukrainian village of Ocheretyne has been battered by fighting, drone footage obtained by The Associated Press shows. The village has been a target for Russian forces in the Donetsk region of eastern Ukraine.
Police arrest 3 Indian nationals in killing of B.C. Sikh activist Hardeep Singh Nijjar
Three people have been arrested and charged in the killing of B.C. Sikh activist Hardeep Singh Nijjar – as authorities continue investigating potential connections to the Indian government.
Canadian doctor concerned new weight-loss drug Wegovy may be used inappropriately
As Wegovy becomes available to Canadians starting Monday, a medical expert is cautioning patients wanting to use the drug to lose weight that no medication is a ''magic bullet,' and the new medication is meant particularly for people who meet certain criteria related to obesity and weight.