Grand Manan voters have re-elected Bonnie Morse as mayor following Monday’s municipal election, returning the longtime municipal leader to office after a competitive race against challenger Norah J. Davidson.
Morse secured victory by a healthy margin after a campaign focused on stability, infrastructure planning, and protecting the strong sense of community that defines island life.
Voter turnout on the island was significantly higher than the provincial average, with 52 per cent of eligible voters casting ballots in Grand Manan compared to 37 per cent across New Brunswick.
According to unofficial results, Morse received 615 votes, defeating Davidson, who received 299 votes.
Speaking to The Courier shortly after the results were announced, Morse said she was feeling both excited and relieved as she celebrated the victory with family gathered around phones and computers watching the numbers come in.
“I’m really excited about the group that we have on council and looking forward to the next four years,” Morse said.
Morse said the outcome reflected public confidence in the work completed over the past five years and in the direction council has been taking.
All incumbent councillors seeking re-election were also returned to office by voters, a result Morse said reflected public recognition that council had been working hard to improve the community.
“I think it’s a confirmation that the work that we’ve done over the last five years was recognised and that people were satisfied with how things have gone,” she said. “They have confidence that the group that reoffered — because all the incumbents who reoffered on council were elected as well — that they wanted to continue the path that we’ve been heading down.”
Morse, who has served as mayor for the past five years following nine years on council, campaigned heavily on long-term infrastructure planning and financial management, including major projects such as the proposed runway extension and anticipated road resurfacing work.
Successful council candidates included incumbents Philman L. Green with 686 votes, Cara V. Greenlaw with 664 votes, Wayne H. Sturgeon with 637 votes, Susan Ballantyne with 574 votes, and Trish Toll with 509 votes.
Newly elected councillors included William (Bill) Anderson with 649 votes, Gary Urquhart with 622 votes, and Brady C. Ross with 563 votes.
Other candidates included Vernon Ross with 324 votes, Tam Greenley with 295 votes, Scott Freeth with 281 votes, Leta Malcolm with 276 votes, Jared Corless with 266 votes, Richelle Fitzsimmons with 247 votes, and Laura Lavers with 136 votes.
Official results are expected once Elections New Brunswick completes the final tally.
