Becky Hogg has won the byelection for the vacant seat on the North Cowichan council. The vote count showed Hogg securing the position, bringing fresh energy to the council.
Hogg expressed joy after the results were announced. She said, “It felt incredible” as her supporters cheered.
Though the term is short, Hogg said she is ready for the challenge. She promised to stay true to her platform and looks forward to working with council members Christopher Justice, Bruce Findlay, Mike Caljouw, Tek Manhas, Chris Istace, and Mayor Rob Douglas.
The byelection was held on Saturday, April 12, to fill the seat left empty when Debra Toporowski won a seat as MLA in the Cowichan Valley riding last fall. Voting was open from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m., with advance voting on April 2 and 8.
Five candidates competed for the position: Becky Hogg, David Bellis, Raymon Farmere, Johanne Kemmler, and Joanna Lord. Hogg won with 2,029 votes. Joanna Lord was a close second with 1,962 votes. Bellis received 447 votes, Kemmler 387 votes, and Farmere 41 votes.
Out of about 28,684 eligible voters, only 4,866 people cast their ballots in the byelection.
Official results are expected on April 16.
North Cowichan thanked voters and poll workers for their participation, saying, “Thank you to everyone that took the time to vote, and to the many people who worked at polling stations.”
