Murdock Wins Mayor's Chair In A Landslide Driven By Large Voter Turnout

By Robert Thomas

From the advance poll to the last poll reported municipal politics newcomer James Murdock led in the race to be Moose Jaw’s next mayor.

And when the ballots were counted the race for the next mayor of Moose Jaw wasn’t even close as Murdock won a resounding landslide victory.

Murdock came in first with 5,437 whereas second place mayoralty Crystal Froese managed to garner 1,439 votes. Incumbent Mayor Clive Tolley came in third with 601 votes.

Moose Jaw mayor elect James Murdock addresses the media in a post victory news conference at City Hall - MJ Independent photo

In his comments to the media Mayor elect Murdock thanked the other 28 people who put their names forward to run for either mayor or councillor. He said the number of people who ran showed that there was a lot of interest in the community.

Mayor elect Murdock thanked the people who were elected and will serve as councillors for the next four years.

“I truly look forward to working with all of you as this will be a team effort.”

Asked how he felt being Moose Jaw’s 42nd mayor he said “forty second that’s my mother was born win 1942 so I am going to take that as a good sign as she is my inspiration. It will truly be an honour Im looking forward to this and I’m looking forward to representing the community with fresh ideas and thoughts. Just being the voice for them.”

Asked about why he hoped to accomplish in the first 100 day the Mayor Elect commented on the first 30 days of his mandate.

“For me I think in the first 30 days if I can I really do look forward to develop strong relationships with the elected councillors. First forming a team as this just will not be an effort of one person or individual. It will be a group effort and I look forward to getting to know them in even more of a personal aspect and seeing we have the same vision for the city,” he said.

“I think it is going to take us a few days for things to fit in. I looking forward to working with a good team.”

Asked about the 39 percent turnout in 2024 versus the last election when there was a 22 percent turnout he attributed it to the people he had spoken to “as citizens they wanted to be heard. We think James you can be that person to carry that message for us. So I think that inspired people to come out to the polls this year in those types of numbers.”

The six days of advance polls along with good weather also drove numbers voting as many took advantage of the early opportunity to vote.

MJ Independent asked about the upcoming civic budget and the projected tax increase effecting people on lower and fixed incomes he said he would be paying close attention.

“Since this is going to be the first budget, Moose Jaw budget I will be part of I will be putting a lot of attention and my ears will be wide open. I know there may be some challenges but working with the Administration we have and our new elected Council we will try and do the best we can,” mayor elect Murdock replied.