Kevin Murdoch re-elected Oak Bay mayor as three newcomers win council seats

Oak Bay residents have re-elected Kevin Murdoch as mayor, giving him a third consecutive term in office following Saturday’s municipal election.

Murdoch secured 5,231 votes (75.2%), defeating challenger Samuel Holland, who received 1,725 votes (24.8%).

The victory marks another chapter in Murdoch’s lengthy career in Oak Bay politics.

He was first elected to council in 2011 before becoming mayor in 2018, when he defeated incumbent Nils Jensen. In 2022, Murdoch was re-elected by acclamation after running unopposed.

This year’s election was his first contested mayoral race since 2018. Murdoch previously indicated that, if re-elected, this would be his final term as mayor.

While the mayor’s chair will remain unchanged, Oak Bay council will welcome three new faces.

Nine candidates competed for six council seats, with all three incumbents seeking re-election successfully retaining their positions.

The following councillors were elected:

• Hazel Braithwaite — 5,095 votes (re-elected)
• William (Will) Moore — 4,715 votes (new)
• Cairine Green — 4,357 votes (re-elected)
• Roxanne Helme — 4,101 votes (new)
• Esther Paterson — 3,928 votes (re-elected)
• David Gleeson — 3,399 votes (new)

Braithwaite once again topped the council vote, continuing a streak that saw her finish first in both the 2018 and 2022 municipal elections.

Another interesting result is Roxanne Helme’s election to council. Helme previously ran in 2022 but narrowly missed securing a seat, finishing just 144 votes behind the sixth-place candidate.

This time, she finished fourth and will join newcomers William Moore and David Gleeson at the council table.

Outgoing councillors Andrew Appleton, Carrie Smart and Lesley Watson will not return to council. None sought re-election in this year’s municipal race.

Oak Bay’s new council will have several significant issues ahead, including housing development, aging infrastructure, municipal finances and the future of the Oak Bay Marina.

The marina’s future has been a topic of discussion at municipal hall, with competing visions presented earlier this year as the municipality considers its long-term plans for the waterfront property.

Murdoch and the newly elected council will serve for the next four years.

The results are preliminary and remain subject to official confirmation.