Ward 33 saw three first-time candidates take on the Toronto’s budget chief, Shelley Carroll, who was trying for her third consecutive win in this ward.
Going up against the popular incumbent proved a challenge for her opponents. Carroll secured her seat with 57.6 per cent of the vote. Fil Giannakopolous polled in second place with 20.2 per cent. Mike Ihnat followed with 13.6 per cent and David Raines finished in fourth with 8.4 per cent of the vote.
Earlier this year, online rumours implied that Carroll had considered running for mayor of Toronto in this election. While her focus then and now appears to be on her ward, the possibility of a future mayoral bid isn’t entirely out of the question. She spoke at her campaign headquarters in Ward 33.
“I had more than one reason for stepping out of the mayor’s race this time,” she said. “(but) never say never.”
In the meantime, she said her current focus is to get all the new members of council settled in.
Even though he didn’t win a council seat this time around, candidate David Raines is still upbeat and optimistic about his prospects. He hasn’t let this loss change his mind about the future; if anything it has inspired him.
He plans to run for councillor again. As for whether or not it will be Ward 33?
“I believe so,” he said. “It’s a phenomenal community.”