Fred Francis has won the mayor’s race in Windsor, Ont., according to unofficial results, ending a 12-year reign for Drew Dilkens in Monday’s municipal election.
Francis follows in the footsteps of his older brother, Eddie Francis, in being elected mayor.
The elder Francis was elected in 2003 at 29 years old, one of the youngest ever to hold the position in the city’s history and became one of the city’s longest-serving mayors by the time he left office.
Fred Francis convinced voters with a campaign promising a “new direction” for Windsor, which included rolling back the use of strong mayor powers, a focus on affordable housing, and revitalizing downtown.
“We’re going to get rid of strong mayor powers on Day 1. We’re going to figure out how to do that,” said Francis to reporters at the Fogolar Furlan club following his election night victory. “That was a big factor at the door. Change was a big factor at the door.”
Francis was first elected as councillor for Ward 1 in 2014 and was re-elected twice in the subsequent elections in 2018 and 2022.
Dilkens concedes
Also at the Fogolar Furlan Club, Dilkens conceded and congratulated Fred Francis as mayor-elect in an address just before 9:30 p.m.
When asked about his council legacy, the outgoing mayor said he’ll leave with his head held high.
“I’m really proud on what we delivered in 12 years,” said Dilkens to assembled media, before shaking hands with the victorious Francis.
“We’ve been able to deliver the hospital, it has a shovel in the ground now. We delivered the largest economic development in the city’s history in NextStar and all the surrounding investments.”
Francis won by collecting 28,204 votes, good for more than 47 per cent of the vote.
Dilkens finished with nearly 34 per cent of the vote, with 20,021 votes.
Kat Pasquatch finished in third with 12.25 per cent of the vote share with 7,253 votes. Eight other candidates also ran for mayor.
