The starter's pistol went off on Friday morning, and candidates have begun filing to run in the October municipal elections.
Friday was the first day that candidates could file their nomination papers across Ontario, and there are already two challenges in Windsor-Essex for a mayor's seat.
Deputy Mayor Joe Bachetti has filed to run for the mayor's post currently held by incumbent Gary McNamara. Bachetti confirmed his candidacy with WindsorNewsToday.ca on Friday afternoon.
Bachetti has been the deputy mayor since 2014. He is also the Deputy Warden of Essex County and the chair of the Essex County Library Board.
Ward 5 Councillor Tania Jobin has filed to run for deputy mayor.
Two candidates are in the race for Ward 2 Councillor, incumbent James Dorner and challenger Suanne Hawkins.
Amherstburg
In Amherstburg, Deputy Mayor Chris Gibb has filed to run for mayor, according to the Town's official website. Michael Prue currently occupies the office.
Councillor Linden Crain, who received the highest number of votes in the 2022 election and is the youngest elected official in Windsor-Essex, has filed to run for Gibb's job.
Essex
First-term mayoral incumbent Sherry Bondy has asked voters for another four years.
LaSalle
Mayoral incumbent Crystal Meloche is running for re-election. She is also a first-term incumbent.
Councillor Mike Seguin, who won the by-election held after the death last year of Sue Desjarlais, is seeking a full four-year term. LaSalle uses an at-large council system.
Lakeshore
Deputy Mayor Kirk Walstedt is looking for another term.
For the Ward 1 seat on Lakeshore Council, Ryan Lahoud is running.
There have been no confirmed candidates yet for the City of Windsor, Kingsville, Leamington, or Pelee Island.
Candidates have until August 21 to file their intentions with their respective municipalities.
The election is on Monday, October 26.
