A clear uptick: roughly 1,100 debate views versus the ~840 in 2022 - about a 31 % increase.
In absolute terms it’s still a modest number for a city-wide platform, but in the context of Ward 13 municipal races it continues the pattern I've noted—higher relative engagement than the last cycle, even if the overall field of candidates is smaller.
In 2022 the Meet the Candidate Night was a bellwether: almost no one showed up except the candidates. The Rogers debate for the ward was viewed only about 840 times. Turnout sat near 40 %. Incumbents were largely given a pass. I finished well back and concluded that running was still worthwhile—because informed voters, when they have information, will choose the best available candidate, and a better council produces a better city.
Four years later
the race is smaller and the information environment is different. There are only two candidates.
The Ward 13 debate video has already passed 1,100 views—roughly 30 % higher than the 2022 figure. Campaign materials and individual blog posts are drawing hundreds of readers each instead of 10 or 20, with overall campaign-page traffic above 5,700.
A handful of residents have sent unsolicited letters of support.
None of this guarantees a different result on October 26. It does suggest that at least some voters are looking past simple name recognition and the usual low-engagement pattern.
The new east end crossing, a defining issue is on the table I support it, the incumbent does not.
The same reasoning still applies: if residents have access to the record and the differences between the candidates, they can decide whether continuity or a change better serves the ward. That was the point of my running in 2022 - and now in 2026 voters have a real alternative.
It remains the main question voters must ask themselves.
So..watch the debate...and decide! Link
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