Manitoba politics news — the Winnipeg Mayoral Ballot is officially set. Twelve candidates have qualified for the October 28 ballot, incumbent Scott Gillingham leads the early polling, and a full 51 per cent of voters still have not decided who gets their X. This race is anybody’s for the next five weeks.
By Maplestime Politics Desk | Manitoba, Canada | September 24, 2026
Sources: Winnipeg Free Press, Abacus Data | Last updated: September 24, 2026
Key Takeaways
- 12 on the Winnipeg Mayoral Ballot: Nominations closed September 22, leaving 12 qualified mayoral candidates for election day, October 28.
- Gillingham leads, barely: An Abacus/Winnipeg Free Press poll puts the incumbent at 20%, Kevin Klein at 8% and Mike Vogiatzakis at 4% — but 51% of voters are undecided and 13% say they will not vote.
- Platforms sharpening: Tracy Drexler pledged to divert $37 million from the police budget to a community-run emergency service; Gillingham pitched a North Main strategy; Klein raised concerns about Transit Plus.
- Council in flux: Five of 15 councillors are not seeking re-election, and Coun. Russ Wyatt — facing two sexual-assault charges — filed to run again, challenged by Shawn Nason.
The Winnipeg Mayoral Ballot, by the Numbers
The paperwork is done. When the nomination deadline passed on September 22, the Winnipeg Mayoral Ballot took its final shape: incumbent Scott Gillingham plus 11 challengers.
The challengers include former city councillor and provincial cabinet minister Kevin Klein, funeral director Mike Vogiatzakis and Tracy Drexler, the only woman in the race.
Fifteen candidates had registered at one point, but the field trimmed quickly. Gagandeep Bawa, Abdel-Kareem Chehadi and Joaquin Sandul did not complete their nominations, while Zachary Uminski and Ed Ackerman withdrew — leaving a dozen names on the Winnipeg Mayoral Ballot.
Poll: Gillingham Leads — Among Decided Voters Only
The first real snapshot of the race comes from an Abacus Data poll for the Winnipeg Free Press. Gillingham sits at 20 per cent, Klein at 8 per cent and Vogiatzakis at 4 per cent.
Here is the number that matters more: 51 per cent of respondents are undecided, and another 13 per cent say they do not intend to vote. The incumbent’s lead on the Winnipeg Mayoral Ballot is real — but with half the city undecided, it is paper-thin.
Related: Winnipeg Mayoral Race 2026 — Candidates Pile On Public-Safety Promises
Platforms Taking Shape on Deadline Day
Nomination day doubled as announcement day. Drexler, the only woman running, made the boldest move: a pledge to divert $37 million from the Winnipeg Police Service budget toward a new emergency service — run by community organizations, not police — that would respond to people in mental-health and addictions crises.
Gillingham countered with a pitch to redevelop North Main, while Klein raised concerns about Transit Plus staffing and service. The fault lines of the campaign are now drawn: safety, downtown renewal and who actually delivers services.
Council Shakeup Behind the Scenes
The mayor’s race is not the only contest in motion. Five of the city’s 15 councillors are not seeking re-election, which means new faces on council almost no matter what.
The most combustible ward fight may belong to Russ Wyatt. Facing two sexual-assault charges, the incumbent councillor filed for re-election anyway — and Shawn Nason has stepped up to challenge him.
Key Dates for Winnipeg Voters
- Advance voting: October 19–22
- Election day: October 28
Advance polls run October 19–22 for anyone who wants to mark the Winnipeg Mayoral Ballot early — and after five weeks of campaigning, the undecided majority will finally have to pick.
Maplestime will provide updates from this story as new announcements are made.
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With 51% of Winnipeg still undecided, does Gillingham actually have this in the bag — or is Klein’s late entry the jolt that changes everything? Tell us in the comments. And share this with every Canadian following Winnipeg politics this fall.
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