With a strong track record in public service and the support of the incumbent councillor, candidate Chris Sellors went into yesterday’s election expecting a victory in Ward 22.
As it turned out, the race to fill Coun. Michael Walker’s seat was won by Josh Matlow. When the vote counting ended last night, Matlow had polled 11,892, Sellors placed second with 8,037 votes, Elizabeth Cook accumulated 1,900 votes and William Molls polled 869 votes.
Sellors had good reason to be confident during the election. He had worked as assistant to Michael Walker for nearly nine years.
“I went in tonight very, very confident and that’s democracy. Sometimes it flips over,” he said. “Obviously I felt I was the better candidate because I had worked towards this and I know every facet of the office. I know the ward like the back of my hand.”
Despite his disappointment with the loss, Sellors conceded to Matlow.
“I have to respect my opponent, respect the victor. He won fair and square,” he said. “I’m not going to make his life a living hell; people don’t want me to do that. People want their city to work. So be it.”
When asked why he won the election Josh Matlow credited his supporters’ hard work..
“We worked very hard. We knocked at every one of the 33,000 doors in the ward over three times. Really hard work wins you a lot of support,” Matlow said.
During his victory speech, Matlow addressed what he saw as the reason for the larger than average turnover of incumbents in the election.
“Across the city people voted for change in this election,” he said. “But in Ward 22, St. Paul’s, it wasn’t out of frustration. It wasn’t out of anger. It’s because they want a positive approach, a responsible approach. An approach that’s going to build this community and contribute to this city.”