86,212
eligible voters 2026
44
certified candidates
8
incumbents running
Mayor
| Anne Marie Dryden | REAL Nanaimo 🔎 |
| Brunie Brunie | 🔎 |
| Leonard E Krog Incumbent | website 🔎 |
| Sarah Lovegrove | website 🔎 “Sarah’s professional experience has prepared her to respond to the critical needs of our community with the urgency and attention required, focusing on upstream, long-term, preventative solutions with efficiency amidst limited resources.” — from their campaign site |
Councillor
| Andrew Merilees | website 🔎 |
| Andréa Coutu | website 🔎 “Nanaimo, my name is Andréa Coutu and I’d like to be your candidate for City Council.” — from their campaign site |
| Angela H Waldick | website 🔎 |
| Anita G Greer | 🔎 |
| Austin Seng | website · 🔎 |
| Ben Geselbracht Incumbent | website 🔎 |
| Bill McKay | website · facebook.com 🔎 “Since leaving public office, I have remained actively involved in our community.” — from their campaign site |
| Bryan W Gordon | REAL Nanaimo 🔎 |
| Bryant Marshall | 🔎 |
| Cameron J Leckenby | website · https · · https 🔎 “Strengthen our local jobs & economy Cameron will strengthen Nanaimo’s economy by supporting local businesses and keeping investment in our community.” — from their campaign site |
| Derek Hanna | REAL Nanaimo website 🔎“Download our Rack Card Support REAL Nanaimo Strong, accountable leadership doesn’t happen without community support.” — from their campaign site |
| Erin C Hemmens Incumbent | website 🔎 “Trees, wetlands and healthy ecosystems are not just beautiful — they make our community more resilient.” — from their campaign site |
| Frank Pluta | REAL Nanaimo 🔎 |
| Hilary Eastmure Incumbent | website 🔎 “I’m committed to listening closely to residents, bringing those diverse priorities and perspectives to the Council table, and supporting the changes needed to improve our collective quality of life.” — from their campaign site |
| Holden Southward | 🔎 |
| Ian W Thorpe Incumbent | website 🔎 |
| Jackie Bolen | website · facebook.com 🔎 “jackiebolen.com Skip to content Global warming and food security are the most pressing issues of our time, and I will vote on all matters in light of these things.” — from their campaign site |
| Janice Perrino Incumbent | website 🔎 “About Janice - Janice Perrino Skip to content About Janice Perrino A lifetime of leadership in healthcare and local government — dedicated to serving Nanaimo.” — from their campaign site |
| Jeff Annesley | REAL Nanaimo 🔎 |
| Joe Figel | REAL Nanaimo 🔎 |
| Kenneth R Bennett | 🔎 |
| Malcolm Cooke | REAL Nanaimo 🔎 |
| Mark Chandler | 🔎 |
| Marnie Boers | website 🔎 “Marnie’s Priorities Events Join Marnie at upcoming campaign events across Nanaimo to discuss the issues that matter most to our community—affordable housing, healthcare, transit, and safety.” — from their campaign site |
| Matthew P Miller | website 🔎 “My name is Matthew Miller, and I’m running for Nanaimo City Council.” — from their campaign site |
| Max D MacKay | website 🔎 “Support Max MacKay for Nanaimo City Council. Learn about his community-driven plans for safety, responsible growth, and downtown revitalization to build a stronger Nanaimo.” — from their campaign site |
| Meg Fyfe Watkins | website 🔎 “After moving here I quickly came to love Nanaimo’s strong sense of community, incredible local businesses, and the easily accessible green spaces and natural beauty that make our city special.” — from their campaign site |
| Patrick Gunville | website · facebook.com 🔎 “Platform - Patrick Gunville | Nanaimo City Council Candidate Nanaimo is growing.” — from their campaign site |
| Paul Chapman | 🔎 |
| Paul Manly Incumbent | website · facebook.com 🔎 |
| Paul Van Ryssel | website · facebook.com 🔎 “A trusted local voice for Nanaimo. Teacher, coach, mentor: Paul is running for City Council to bring steady judgment, responsible priorities, and stronger community connection to City Hall.” — from their campaign site |
| Richard Harlow | website · https · 🔎 “Listening had become my main way of taking in the world, and I wanted to learn to do it well.” — from their campaign site |
| Robert M Phelan | 🔎 |
| Rod Moreno | 🔎 |
| Ryan Djakovic | website 🔎 “About Ryan Meet Nanaimo City Council Candidate Ryan Djakovic Who I Am I’m a technologist, licensed realtor, developer, and community advocate with a passion for ethical governance, responsible planning, and people-centered solutions.” — from their campaign site |
| Sandy Bartlett | REAL Nanaimo 🔎 |
| Shane A Crawley | 🔎 |
| Sheryl D Armstrong Incumbent | 🔎 |
| Steven Johns | website 🔎 “Building a Better Nanaimo This is my home, and it is very important to me to build a strong, caring community that meets peoples’ needs.” — from their campaign site |
| Zaki Mohammed | website 🔎 “Zaki Mohammed for Nanaimo City Council Running for Nanaimo City Council Zaki Mohammed Nanaimo gave me an equal opportunity to win.” — from their campaign site |
🗞 On the radar — local coverage
- Economy and jobs the focus at Nanaimo provincial candidate forum
- Provincial election candidates confirmed for Nanaimo & Oceanside ridings
- Candidates declared in Regional District of Nanaimo for local election
- Election 2026: Nanaimo mayor and council candidates
Sources: official candidate listing · provincial registry · municipal website · listing last updated October 15, 2026 02:20 pm