Windsor elects Fred Francis as mayor, ending Drew Dilkens' 12-year tenure

Fred Francis will replace Drew Dilkens as mayor of Windsor following Monday's municipal election. Francis secured 28,204 votes, capturing 47.6 percent of the total. Dilkens, who sought a fourth term, received 33.8 percent of the vote. The margin between the two candidates stood at 8,183 votes. Kat Pasquach finished third with 7,253 votes. The results have not yet been officially certified.

Francis has served as the councillor for Ward 1 for 12 years. He currently works as the executive director of the Multicultural Council of Windsor and Essex County. His older brother, Eddie Francis, served as mayor from December 2003 to November 2014. Dilkens served on city council for 20 years, with the final 12 years as mayor. He cited the construction of the Fancsy Family Hospital and the arrival of the NextStar Battery Plant as key achievements of his tenure.

Francis stated that voters sought a different direction for the city. He said he would work to repeal the provincially legislated Strong Mayor Powers on his first day in office. These powers allow the mayor to propose the municipal budget, veto council amendments tied to provincial priorities, and appoint or dismiss the Chief Administrative Officer. Francis said he intends to figure out how to remove these authorities and will not use them while they remain in effect.

Dilkens said he leaves without regret. He noted that he lost his first council race in 2003 before winning the following year. He said he respects the decision of Windsor voters. He expressed confidence that the new administration would succeed, stating that their success would be the city's success.

The election also brought changes to the composition of city council. Five incumbents won re-election: Frazier Fathers in Ward 2, Renaldo Agostino in Ward 3, Angelo Marignani in Ward 7, Gary Kaschak in Ward 8, and Kieran McKenzie in Ward 9. Four new councillors will join the chamber. Darcie Renaud will represent Ward 1, replacing Francis. Chris Holt returns to his former Ward 4 seat. Ken Acton won the Ward 5 seat, replacing Ed Sleiman who served since 2010. Jeremy Renaud was elected in Ward 6, replacing Jo-Anne Gignac.

In Ward 10, Mark Masanovich defeated two-term incumbent Jim Morrison. Masanovich had lost the race to Morrison by 138 votes in 2022. Morrison finished third in the voting for that ward this time around.