Fawcett, Isleifson confirm candidacy as registration opens

The registration period for mayoral candidates in Brandon opened on Friday ahead of the October municipal election.

Mayor Jeff Fawcett told the Sun that his paperwork is in — he is registered to run for re-election.

Former Brandon East MLA Len Isleifson, who announced in May 2025 that he would seek the city’s top job this year, confirmed on Friday he was submitting paperwork and will follow through with his bid for mayor.

“I am more committed now than I could say I ever have been,” Isleifson told the Sun. “The support I have been receiving has just been overwhelming. And it’s something that needs to happen — we just really need some changes.”

Meanwhile, Coun. Bruce Luebke (Ward 6) said Friday that he is considering a run for mayor, but will make that decision over the next six weeks.

Fawcett said he enjoys the role and wants to build on progress from his first term.

“We have been doing a lot of work, and building a lot of relationships,” Fawcett said in a phone interview on Friday. “I am really looking forward to seeing these things through.”

“I really love doing this.”

Luebke said he will be running for either mayor or council in the upcoming election; if he runs for mayor, it will be to put forward a different vision for the city, he said.

“I think the things I’m kind of weighing are, would I be more effective the next four years as a councillor and continuing in my role?” Luebke said. “What is our future in the City of Brandon looking like? Are we focusing on the right things right now, or should we be focusing on different things?”

The registration period for mayoral candidates ends Sept. 22. The registration period for city councillors and school division trustee candidates opens June 30 and also closes on Sept. 22.

Anyone intending to run for municipal office must register with the senior election official in Brandon before accepting contributions, incurring expenses, raising funds or borrowing money for their campaign, according to the city.

Candidates running for municipal council must be a Canadian citizen; at least 18 years of age on Election Day; a resident of Manitoba; a qualified voter, which includes someone who has lived in or owned property in the municipality for at least six months before election day (April 28, 2026); and not subject to disqualification under the Municipal Act or any other applicable legislation.

Under the Municipal Act, some individuals are disqualified from being nominated: a judge of the Court of King’s Bench or the Court of Appeal; a provincial judge or justice of the peace; a member of the Legislative Assembly of Manitoba or the Senate or House of Commons of Canada.

In the 2022 City of Brandon election, two people ran for mayor, and four out of the 10 city councillors were acclaimed as they faced no competition for candidacy in their wards.

The upcoming election is a key opportunity for citizens to exercise their voice, Heather Ewasiuk, senior election official for the City of Brandon and Brandon School Division, said in the city’s news release on Wednesday.

“I encourage anyone considering running for office, as well as all eligible voters, to visit brandon.ca/votes to learn more about the election process,” Ewasiuk said. “Information about registered candidates, advance voting options and polling locations will be shared as it becomes available.”

The Association of Manitoba Municipalities is encouraging residents to participate in the general election, whether by voting or by entering as candidates.

AMM director of communications Nick Krawetz said that the government closest to the people is significant.

“Local governments play a vital role in our democracy,” Krawetz said. “We encourage folks to participate.”

The 2026 election for council and school board trustees is set for Oct. 28.

» cmcdowell@brandonsun.com, with files from Alex Lambert