Municipal election nomination ended as of 2 p.m. Friday, no Windsor candidates unchallenged

Janice Campbell has stepped forward at the last-minute to challenge Ward 4. Coun. Chris Holt in the upcoming municipal election, just before the Friday 2 p.m. deadline for filing nomination papers.

As of Thursday night, he ran uncontested.

"He's done an adequate job as councillor. I'm not surprised. He put together a very good coalition," said Victoria Cross, who ran for the seat in the 2014 election against Holt.

Chuck Scarpelli, manager of records and elections, said Campbell was among15 new candidates who stepped forward Friday, including Barb Holland, chair of the Windsor Essex Catholic District School Board. Holland is running for council in Ward 7.

There will be at least one new councillor who will replace Bill Marra in Ward 8. Nine people are challenging for that seatincluding Gemma Grey-Hall, who would be the first black woman city councillor if elected.

In the county, Lakeshore mayor Tom Bain, Kingsvillemayor Nelson Santos and Tecumseh mayor Gary McNamara are acclaimed.

Gord Queen, the deputy mayor of Kingsville is also acclaimed and no one is challenging Crystal Meloche for the deputy mayor's chair in LaSalle.

But the race for mayor is on in LaSalle. Former mayor Gary Baxter has stepped forward to run against Marc Bondy for the position. Amherstburgmayor Aldo DiCarlois now being challenged by Glenn Swinton.

The race for deputy mayor in Leamington will see Darmesh Patel running against Larry Verbeke. And Essex councillor Ron Rogers has made it a four-way race for mayor in Essex. Long-time mayor Ron McDermott is not seeking re-election.

The clerks at the various municipalities now have to certify the nomination papers and the deadline is 4 p.m. Monday.

"Some of the nomination papers have to be gone through and to be determined they have a sufficient number of endorsements and are complete in every aspect," said Scarpelli.

The election will be held on Oct. 22.