Incumbent highlights parks, infrastructure and public safety in re-election bid
Kelowna city councillor Maxine DeHart announced she will seek a fifth term on council, saying her work on behalf of residents and local business is not finished as the city heads into the fall municipal election.
First elected in 2011, DeHart said in a news release that serving on council has been “one of the great honours” of her life and pointed to a string of projects and investments she says she helped advance during her tenure. She cited the opening of parks, the development of new recreation facilities, support for the agricultural community, and infrastructure improvements as contributions she is proud of.
“I have had the privilege of speaking to thousands of residents, community leaders, business owners and stakeholders, listening to their ideas, concerns and hopes for our city,”
DeHart added:
“It is from these conversations that I believe my work is not done. I want to continue to be a part of making Kelowna a safer, healthier and a more prosperous city.”
Context for the race: incumbency, departures and newcomers
DeHart — a local hotelier and weekly newspaper columnist — was the last incumbent councillor to publicly declare a re-election bid at the time of her announcement. In the 2022 municipal election she placed eighth on the ballot, taking the final available councillor seat.
Several sitting councillors have already indicated their plans for the upcoming term. Couns. Rick Webber, Gord Lovegrove and Mohini Singh have picked up election packages signalling they intend to run again. Meanwhile, Ron Cannan, currently a councillor, has announced he will challenge incumbent mayor Tom Dyas for the mayoralty.
Other councillors have opted not to seek re-election, creating openings on the ballot and potential shifts in council dynamics:
- Charlie Hodge — not running
- Loyal Wooldridge — not running
- Luke Stack — not running
Key dates and candidate activity
As of the most recent update from the City of Kelowna, 73 municipal election hopefuls had picked up election packages for mayor, councillor or Central Okanagan School District trustee roles. Candidates can officially file their nomination papers during the filing period from Sept. 1 to 11. The municipal election is scheduled for Oct. 17.
| Item | Date / Figure |
|---|---|
| DeHart first elected | 2011 |
| DeHart last election result | Placed eighth (2022) |
| Nomination period | Sept. 1–11 |
| Election day | Oct. 17 |
| Packages picked up (to date) | 73 |
What DeHart’s bid means for Kelowna
DeHart’s campaign emphasises continuity on long-running priorities for many residents: parks and recreation access, agricultural support, infrastructure renewal and public safety. Her entry preserves an experienced voice on council and may influence how others position themselves on those files.
With several incumbents not running and at least one councillor challenging the mayor, the electoral landscape in Kelowna is shaping up to be competitive. Voter attention is likely to focus on how candidates propose to manage growth, housing supply, transportation, and services for a city that continues to grow within the Central Okanagan.
Residents who want to track candidates or obtain nomination information can consult the City of Kelowna’s official election page for up-to-date details on filing requirements and timelines.
As the nomination window opens next month, campaigns will begin to firm up platforms, and voters will have an opportunity to evaluate both continuity candidates and newcomers on the specific priorities they bring to Kelowna’s council table.
