Ryan Painter announces candidacy for mayoral race in View Royal

There is a new candidate in the race for mayor of View Royal. 

On Monday, August 24th, Ryan Painter announced that he is putting his name forward for the position of View Royal’s mayor.

Painter has experience in governance, runs his own successful View Royal small business in public relations, has worked in BC’s not-for-profit sector and in the BC legislature. 

He has also served as an elected Greater Victoria school trustee and as chair of the Greater Victoria School Board. 

According to Painter, his vision for View Royal’s future stems from conversations with residents across View Royal, as well as his experience in governance and leadership.

“Over the last eight months, I’ve had conversations with many of my fellow View Royal residents,” said Painter. 

“I’ve gone door to door, visiting hundreds of homes to listen to your concerns, and I’ve heard time and again at View Royal events like the first View Royal Community Association Summerfest and barbeques this summer what our hopes are.”

Painter says his priorities for the municipality lie in improving traffic flow, getting better value for tax dollars, bringing more jobs and businesses to the Western Gateway at Six Mile, bringing more family doctors into the community and allowing people’s voices to be heard.

“We have so much to be thankful for living in View Royal,” Painter continued. 

“At the same time, there are changes happening that pose a real threat to our way of life here—changes that the province is pushing on us, changes that would mean more and more unwanted traffic congestion and parking issues, changes that would download more costs onto your tax bill. We need to stand up together for the View Royal we know and love.”

Along with his candidacy, Painter announced endorsements from two current members of the View Royal council, Ron Mattson and Don Brown.

Painter will not be alone in the race for mayor. As of this publication, David Screech has also announced his candidacy for the role.

In 2022, the former incumbent ran against sitting Mayor Sid Tobias and lost by around 240 votes. Before his loss to Mayor Tobias, Screech sat as View Royal’s mayor from 2014 to 2022. 

Mayor Tobias has announced he will not be running for mayor in this election.