Epp running in Ward 4 to block acclamation
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A longtime council watcher has entered the Brandon municipal election race to ensure candidate support can be measured.
James Epp said he is running as a “legal requirement” to block an acclamation from taking place in Ward 4.
Coun. Shaun Cameron is seeking re-election in the ward and was not facing any challengers for his seat prior to Epp’s entry.
Brandon resident James Epp sits inside council chambers at Brandon City Hall in December 2025. Epp has entered the race for the Ward 4 councillor seat. (Tim Smith/The Brandon Sun files)
“I just want there to be an election and ballots cast, so that we can measure turnout, we can measure support for, in this case, the incumbent,” Epp said Thursday in a phone interview.
“What I’m doing gives (citizens) the ability to cast a ballot for ward councilor.”
If he were to be elected to office, Epp said he would accept the result given a massive turnout near 50 per cent of eligible voters, or he would refuse to take the oath of office.
“I would have to have a very, very strong turnout and vote, which, frankly, I don’t think it’s going to happen.”
Epp said in an email to the Sun that he plans to move his election bid to different wards in Brandon to best force competition in the October election. He said that if he sees a “serious” candidate enter the race where his name is on the ballot, he will drop out and switch to the next ward.
Ward 6 is his current backup plan, and if an acclamation is blocked in that ward, Epp said he will consider other wards without competition.
“Residents should not be surprised if I’m knocking on doors across the unopposed wards.”
As of Thursday, there was no competition for wards 3, 5 and 6.
Epp said he does not wish to be a councillor.
“I don’t need to be a decision-maker. I also don’t think I have the right personality to sit on a council,” he said. “Maybe that will change in the future, but at this point in time, I cannot see myself being a representative.”
» cmcdowell@brandonsun.com