Jeromy Farkas, a former Ward 11 councilor, has emerged as the winner of the 2025 Calgary mayoral election, narrowly surpassing Communities First leader Sonya Sharp by less than a percentage point, based on unofficial results. Sharp has indicated her intention to request a recount following the close outcome. The city’s reported figures show Farkas securing 91,068 votes, just edging out Sharp’s 90,484 votes by a margin of fewer than 600 votes. The slim difference prompted Sharp to exercise her right under provincial law to seek a recount, as the results fall within the statutory threshold for a recount request based on the percentage of ballots cast.
Preliminary city-wide results reveal that Farkas holds a lead over Sharp by approximately 0.17% of the total 348,626 ballots cast. In response to the situation, Sharp emphasized that the recount request is not a critique of the election workers’ efforts but a precautionary measure to ensure accuracy given the extremely narrow margin. She expressed readiness to accept the outcome of the review, underscoring the significance of verifying the election processes in such a closely contested race.
If the current numbers stand, Farkas is poised to become Calgary’s 38th mayor, marking the first time an incumbent mayor has been unseated since 1980. In acknowledging his impending victory, Farkas extended his gratitude to Jyoti Gondek for her service as the outgoing mayor, recognizing her contributions to the city. He emphasized his commitment to collaborating with individuals across the political spectrum for the betterment of Calgary, focusing on key issues such as safety and affordability without being swayed by ideological divisions.
The voter turnout for this year’s election appears to be on a downward trend, with reports of long lineups contributing to what is projected to be one of the lowest turnout rates in recent years. Final figures on the unofficial voter turnout are expected to be disclosed on Tuesday evening. Notably, Farkas, who finished as the runner-up in the 2021 election, saw reduced support in this election compared to the previous one. He ran on a platform critical of the existing council’s approach to critical areas like employment, housing, and security, positioning himself as an independent candidate in the newly party-affiliated municipal election.
Gondek, who clinched victory in the 2021 election as the first female mayor in Calgary’s history, graciously conceded defeat in the 2025 race. Despite the outcome, she expressed pride in the accomplishments of her campaign and conveyed optimism for the city’s future. The mayoral race also saw Brian Thiessen, a candidate representing The Calgary Party, placing fifth and emphasizing the need for continued advocacy for citizen-centric governance.
As the city awaits the finalization of councilor and trustee results, the landscape of Calgary’s leadership is set to undergo significant changes with the emergence of new faces in key positions. The composition of the incoming council will become clearer as the hand-counting process progresses, in line with the provincial ban on electronic vote tabulators since 2024. The post-election period is crucial for the elected officials to engage with constituents and foster a collaborative environment for effective governance.