Candidate endorses byelection rival, urges voters to do their own research

One of the seven candidates in Thursday’s Brandon School Division byelection is endorsing an opponent.

Eren Oleson, a 911 dispatcher, said Tuesday in a statement to the Sun that he is not the best candidate for the school trustee position and will vote instead for fellow candidate Shawna Mozdzen.

“I can only speak for myself so please do your own research. But for me, Shawna Mozdzen is the best candidate, so I’m voting for her,” Oleson, 34, wrote in an email.

He said he ran initially because he “was worried that some nut would run unopposed and start posting ‘Let’s go Brandon’ on billboards,” and “because I felt it was the responsible thing to do in light of how politicized the school board has become.”

However, he said, “Thankfully for everybody involved, several other candidates have stepped up alongside me — these candidates are more tenured, more involved and more passionate about the issues that arise at the school board.

“In fact, the candidates have so much to offer that it makes it difficult to choose who might actually be the best suited for this position right now.”

Oleson is the only candidate of the seven who hasn’t placed lawn signs around the city.

Contacted Tuesday, Mozdzen said she appreciates Oleson’s support and that the community “is stronger for people like him who are willing to step up and take an active role.”

“I’m honoured to have his endorsement and share his belief that our board must be connected to community. Listening, learning and then leading,” Mozdzen said in an email to the Sun.

Mozdzen has worked at five local schools in support and educational assistant roles since 2007. Her platform has focused on ensuring students and families feel supported, included and safe at school.

“I encourage everyone to learn about the candidates,” she said. “Ask questions and vote. Every voice matters.”

The five other candidates vying for the single Ward 1 seat are: Habitat for Humanity community engagement manager Bonnie-Lynn Mills, École New Era School parent council member Laura Armitage, insurance brokerage manager Michael Grantham, public health worker Himanshu Shah and retired health-care administrator Henry Sieklicki.

A total of 596 people voted in advanced polls and in sealed ballots, or about 1.7 per cent of all eligible voters.

That number is “on par” with advance voting in the 2023 BSD byelection, where a total of 11 per cent of voters cast ballots, according to the senior election official.

In total, 35,445 people are eligible to vote in the byelection, the official said.

Voters can cast their ballot at six different locations on Thursday:

• Monterey Estates Recreation Hall — 40 Mockingbird Dr.

• McDiarmid Drive Alliance Church — 635 McDiarmid Dr.

• East End Community Centre — 405 Park St.

• Victoria Inn’s private dining room — 3550 Victoria Ave.

• Brandon School Division administration office — 1031 Sixth St.

• Brandon Shoppers Mall — Unit 9, 1570 18th St.

People must be 18 years old, a resident of the city for the last six months as of Thursday and a Canadian citizen to vote.

The byelection was triggered after Blaine Foley resigned in March.

The next general school board election is scheduled to take place just over a year later, on Oct. 28, 2026, coinciding with the municipal elections.

» alambert@brandonsun.com