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Everything you need to know about Welland’s 2026 municipal election

Posted:August 27, 2026 | 4:06 PM
By: Mason Goodfellow

By:Mason Goodfellow

Updated: August 27, 2026 | 4:06 PM

The City of Welland in the Niagara Region (Photo Courtesy of The City of Welland).

Welland residents will go to the polls to cast their votes for the city’s next mayor and other municipal officials on Oct. 26, 2026.

Advanced voting will take place from Oct. 5 to Oct. 9 between 10 a.m. and 6 p.m. It will be hosted at Civic Square, 60 East Main St.

The second advanced voting session will be open from Oct. 17 and Oct. 25 between 10 a.m. and 5 p.m. at the Seaway Mall branch of the Welland Public Library, 800 Niagara St.

More information on voting in Welland and key dates can be found on the city’s website.

Welland Mayor Frank Campion has announced that he will not be running for re-election.

Campion spoke with CHCH News and said he’ll still be working to support the City of Welland.

“It’s time for me to see what else is out there. I’m not getting any younger, and in my limited time left I want to be able to do a few other things,” said Campion. “It’ll always be something to do with the municipality, the City of Welland, I would hope. You know, either getting onto committees or volunteering elsewhere.”

Campion continued to say that he’s committed to Welland and wants to stick around doing work for residents of the city.

The deadline to submit or withdraw nominations was Aug. 21 at 2 p.m.

Candidates are listed alphabetically by last name alongside a brief bio. This page will be updated regularly as the race develops, and individual ward candidate lists will follow the same format.

Welland’s mayoral race

Natashia Bergen was born and raised in Saskatchewan but moved to Welland in 2021. According to her campaign website, she has a background in horticulture/agriculture, senior care and support of vulnerable community members. Bergen’s platform focuses on the food crisis, affordable housing, healthcare and more.
Pat Chiocchio served as a member of the Welland City Council for over 14 years before being elected to represent Welland on the Niagara Regional Council in 2018. His platform focuses on public safety, housing, mental health, the economy and more.
David Clow hasn’t been able to run for municipal office for the last seven years after failing to file financial statements from his mayoral campaign in 2018. This race will be his first eligible year since.
Gary Graziani’s platform focuses on affordability and taxes, infrastructure, community pride and more.
April Jeffs became mayor of Wainfleet in 2010 and held the position until 2018. According to her campaign website, she is a successful business owner and entrepreneur with a long history in Welland. Jeffs is hoping her experience in leadership roles throughout the Niagara Region will help her win this mayoral race.
David McLeod has served as the Ward 2 councillor since being elected in 2014.
Brandon Simon comes from a professional background in child and youth care, human rights and working with at-risk youth. His campaign website says he’s also been the CEO of a tech company. Simon’s platform focuses on lower property taxes, affordable housing, homelessness, freezing the mayor’s salary and more.
Graham Speck was elected as the Ward 5 councillor in 2018 and has held the position since. Speck’s platform focuses on homelessness, the Welland hospital, developments, parking and more.