Twenty-six candidates have registered to seek the mayor’s office across Durham Region’s eight municipalities ahead of the 2026 municipal election.
The current list of Durham mayor candidates includes seven people in Oshawa, four in Pickering, three each in Ajax, Scugog and Uxbridge, and two each in Whitby, Clarington and Brock.
Voting day is Monday, October 26. The nomination period remains open until 2 p.m. on Friday, August 21, meaning the names and candidate total could still change. Municipal clerks will certify the final candidate lists after the nomination deadline.
Seven Candidates Registered in Oshawa
Oshawa currently has Durham’s largest mayoral field.
The registered candidates are Michael Coons, Derek Giberson, Jim Lee, Tito-Dante Marimpietri, Henry Onwuachu, Joseph Tomlins and Dave Westlake.
The City of Oshawa’s official election page lists all seven candidates and their filing dates. Current Mayor Dan Carter was not included on the registered list as of July 22.
Four Candidates Running in Pickering
Pickering’s mayoral race currently includes incumbent Mayor Kevin Ashe, Doug Cornell, Shaun Rickard and Lisa Robinson.
The City’s official list shows Ashe filed his nomination on May 15, followed by Robinson on May 29, Rickard on June 15 and Cornell on June 16.
The source article incorrectly spells Rickard’s first name as “Shawn.” The official candidate list uses Shaun Rickard.
Ajax and Whitby Mayoral Races
Three candidates have registered in Ajax: Marilyn Crawford, Richard Hinds and Ashmeed Khan.
Crawford currently serves as a regional councillor, while Khan previously served as an Ajax local councillor. Current Mayor Shaun Collier was not listed among the registered candidates as of July 22.
Whitby currently has two candidates: incumbent Mayor Elizabeth Roy and Regional Councillor Chris Leahy.
The Town of Whitby confirms that the election will be held on October 26 and directs voters to its live candidate-list portal. Nominations remain open through August 21.
Two Candidates Registered in Clarington
Clarington Mayor Adrian Foster is seeking another term and is being challenged by Tom Dingwall.
Both men are listed on the Municipality of Clarington’s official candidate page. Foster filed on May 1, while Dingwall registered on May 5.
Northern Durham Mayor Races
Scugog currently has three registered candidates: incumbent Mayor Wilma Wotten, Mike Coll and Ian McDougall. The official township list spells McDougall with two letters “l” at the end.
Uxbridge also has three candidates: incumbent Mayor Dave Barton, Ian Giffin and Ted Eng. The official Uxbridge list confirms the spelling Ian Giffin, correcting the spelling used in the original report.
In Brock, incumbent Mayor Michael Jubb is running against Brenda Thyne. Both are listed on the Township of Brock’s candidate page.
Candidate Lists Could Still Change
The 26-name total represents the mayoral field as of July 22 and should not be described as the final ballot.
Additional candidates can register, existing candidates can withdraw or candidates can change the office they are seeking before the August 21 deadline.
Another change in the 2026 election is that Durham’s Regional Chair will not be elected by voters. The Region says provincial legislation changed the position from an elected office to one appointed by the Ontario government.
This article should be updated when nominations close and municipal clerks publish their certified lists of Durham mayor candidates.
