Municipal election: 6 mayoral races to watch

Voters are going to the polls on Monday and tight races are shaping up in municipalities across the province, including some of New Brunswick's largest cities.

There are 777municipal races happening in Monday's election and 1,016 candidates in the running to win a spot on a local council or in the mayor's chair.

There are no shortage of interesting races shaping up across the province. Some of the province's city's are preparing for close mayoral races or getting ready for new faces on council.

Here are sixraces that could be interesting to watch once the results come in:

1. Can BradWoodside hold on in Fredericton?

Fredericton voters haven't had a tight mayor's race in more than a decade, but Monday's race is shaping up to be a nail-biter.

Brad Woodside, the capital city's longest-serving mayor, is up against Mike O'Brien, a veteran councillor.

• Brad Woodside, Mike O'Brien battle in Fredericton mayor's race

Woodside and O'Brien have known each other for more than two decades and have worked on council together since 2004, when Woodside returned as mayor following a five-year hiatus after a failed run for provincial politics.

When Woodside ran in 2012, he had indicated it would likely be his final term as mayor. Now the incumbent mayor is fighting for another mandate and pointing to his long record of municipal accomplishments.

O'Brien is hoping thatcapital city voters are in a mood for change. He islaying out a series of changes that he'd like to make to the city's direction.

2. 4 new candidates run inBathurst

Bathurstvoters will definitely have a new mayor on Monday night after Stephen Brunet announced earlier this year that he would not seek a fourth term.

Brunet's political retirement opened up a hotlycontested race between four candidates in the northern city.

The mayor's race features threecouncillorsRichardBarbeau, HughComeauand Anne-MarieGammonwho are each seeking to get a promotion to the top job andPaoloFongemie, the director of the community college inBathurst.

Fongemieis a political newcomer but his campaign website offers a multi-point plan to help seniors, youth, families, business and improving the city's governance.

The other candidates have track records to take on the hustings with them.

Barbeau made news in 2014 when he began collecting Costco memberships in the hopes of bringing the retailer to Bathurst. The plan ultimately failed.

But he said in this mayoral campaign he's hoping to open upthe city to business.

Gammon has campaigned on creating a five-year community vision and working with neighbouring municipalities on different partnerships.

Comeau, meanwhile, is using his experience as a critical part of his campaign.

3. 5 vie for Saint John's top job

New Brunswick's largest city has a five-person race for mayor that is offering voters a mix of current council experience, past experience and political outsiders.

The race for the mayor's office opened up earlier this year when Mel Norton announced in January that he would not be seeking a second term. Norton announced on Wednesday that he was running for leader of the Progressive Conservatives.

• Saint John election sees 5 in race for mayor

The race features councillors Shelley Rinehart and Bill Farren, former councillor Patty Higgins, as well as businessman Don Darling and retiree Howard Yeomans.

Rinehartis a first-term councillor, who served as the city's deputy mayor. Rinehartis hoping voters will promote her to the top political job in the city, despite her failed attempt to win a seat in the legislature as a Liberal in 2014.

The university professor is campaigning on the need to bring in more jobs to the city.

Farrenis also seeking to move offices in city hall. Hehas been on council for 12 years and saidhe wants to keep the focus on several unfinishedprojects in the city, such as Rockwood Park, Rainbow Park, the new water treatment system andstreet reconstruction.

Darling is hoping voters will be looking for a fresh face for the mayor's chair.Darling is aconsultant and small business owner, whospent the past 20 years working in the construction industry.

He said the perception is that Saint John is a tough place to do business in.

Higgins, a former city councillor, is trying make a political comeback and is campaigning on reducing the residential tax rate andreinstate water fluoridation into Saint John's water system.

Yeomans, a retiree, said he is an "average citizen" and said he views the mayor's job as a person to bring the community together.

4.Edmundstonprepares for rematch

Edmundstonvoters are gearing up for a repeat of the 2012 campaign.

Incumbent mayorCyrilleSimardis trying to hold onto his job by withstanding a challenge from former mayor Jacques Martin.

The 2012 race took a bitter turn when questions were raised aboutSimard'seligibility to run because of residency questions. Elections New Brunswick eventually clearedSimardto run in the election.

Simarddefeated Martin in the 2012 race by 1,860 votes.

5. Hicks and Arnold square off in Moncton

Moncton voters will be seeing a new mayor after Monday's election following George LeBlanc's decision not to run for a third term as the city's mayor.

Without LeBlanc on the ballot, Hicks, a 17-year veteran of city council, and Dawn Arnold, a first-term councillor, have both set their sights on Moncton's top job.

• Dawn Arnold, Brian Hicks in race to be Moncton's next mayor

Both mayoral candidates say they are concerned about the city's future and are laying out their visions to keep people in the city.

The two candidates may share a concern for the city's direction, but they have different ideas on how to get there.

Hicks is hoping voters will reward him for his record as a watchdog on city spending.

As an example, he is pointingto his role inrenegotiatinga controversial parking deal between the city and Rogers, which ended up saving taxpayers $7 million.

The councillor has also been opposed to the city's decision to build a new downtown sports and entertainment centre. Hicks said he plans to bring the massive infrastructure in on time and on budget.

Arnold, meanwhile, has been a supporter of the downtown centre and she wants to focus on the development of the city's downtown.

She said she has a plan to "create a dynamic, vibrant city that creates jobs and that's a talent magnet."

The campaign has also seen the two candidates go directly at their rival's record. Hicks has posted a series of articles on his website highlighting what he believes are problems with Arnold's voting record.

6. Miramichi'sCormierfaces 4 challengers

Gerry Cormier is facing a multi-pronged re-election fight in the northern city of Miramichi.

Four other challengers have stepped forward in an attempt tounseat the mayor.

Cormier's list of opponents include John Foran, the deputy mayor, Keith Kenny, Coun. Peggy McLean and Ren Smith.

Foranhas served on council in the past and has also been a provincial cabinet minister.

In 2012, Cormiercruised to victory with about 1,300 more votes than his nearest challenger. Kenny was also in that campaign, but he finished well behindwith 356 votes.