Chris Gibb wins Amherstburg mayoral race with 3,928 votes

Chris Gibb will serve as the next mayor of Amherstburg after winning Monday's election. Unofficial results indicate Gibb received 3,928 votes, outpacing Bill Fryer who garnered 3,284 votes and incumbent Michael Prue who received 1,704 votes.

The change in leadership follows a four-year term under Prue, who has held the mayor's seat since 2018. Gibb, who served as deputy mayor during the most recent term, stepped in to replace Prue. The town council table will feature several new members for the upcoming four-year period.

Gibb celebrated his victory at The O, where dozens of family members, friends, and supporters gathered. He expressed gratitude to those who supported his candidacy. “Very excited, very excited, humbled, a little overwhelmed, but I’m ready to get started,” Gibb said.

Gibb stated he views the position as belonging to all residents, regardless of how they voted. “When you’re elected mayor, I truly believe you’re the mayor for everybody, the ones who voted for you and the ones who didn't. So I’m certainly ready to start working tomorrow, and work with the new council and the new deputy mayor to start bringing Amherstburg forward,” he added. He plans to meet with the new council to identify their priorities and implement plans developed over the last four years.

Incumbent mayor Michael Prue held a smaller gathering with family and close friends at Artisan Grill. Prue said he intends to enjoy retirement by traveling with his wife and pursuing hobbies like cooking and reading. He also mentioned plans to go fishing with a friend this spring.

Prue noted that he ran for another term because residents asked him to do so. He campaigned on reducing taxes and continuing the town's recent trajectory, but acknowledged that voters wanted change. “I’m not sure what that direction is because it’s very difficult for me to understand how they would pick a mayor and a deputy mayor who are so diametrically opposed.. but that is what the town has just chosen,” Prue said.

Bill Petruniak was elected deputy mayor with 5,146 votes, defeating Linden Crain who received 3,590 votes. Two incumbent council members, Molly Allaire and Peter Courtney, won re-election with 5,226 and 3,813 votes respectively. Three new members joined the council: Jen DeLuca with 5,597 votes, Keith Boussey with 2,896 votes, and Wes Ewer with 3,370 votes. Certified results are expected on Tuesday, October 27.