Brief

Coquitlam and Port Coquitlam elect new and incumbent mayors in 2026 municipal vote

Craig Hodge succeeded long‑time mayor Richard Stewart in Coquitlam, and Brad West was re‑elected in Port Coquitlam after facing two challengers.

By Felo News Desk · Published Sun, 18 Oct 2026 09:24:29 GMT

On Oct. 17, 2026, voters in two neighbouring British Columbia cities chose their municipal leaders: Craig Hodge was elected mayor of Coquitlam, ending a 18‑year incumbency, while Port Coquitlam re‑elected incumbent mayor Brad West.

What happened

Coquitlam’s municipal election saw Craig Hodge defeat two opponents, Madhavee Inamdar and Trish Mandewo, after longtime mayor Richard Stewart stepped down and endorsed Hodge. In Port Coquitlam, Brad West faced two challengers, Connor Fesenmaier and Pasquale Zampieri, and retained the mayoralty.

What the reports add

Daily Hive’s Coquitlam story notes that Hodge, first elected to city council in 2011, promised to protect quality of life by managing growth, keeping housing affordable, and improving public safety through more police officers and mental‑health supports. The Port Coquitlam article adds that West highlighted the city’s low property taxes and utility fees, and emphasized safety, while his opponents offered platforms focused on accountability, traffic fixes, and affordability.

What was said

Richard Stewart, speaking when he announced his retirement, said, “I’m happy to be here tonight because I truly believe in Craig… I thank him for stepping forward for our community,” as reported by Daily Hive. Brad West, after his victory, thanked voters, saying, “I am deeply humbled and grateful for the trust you have placed in me once again,” also reported by Daily Hive.

How it came about

The elections occurred alongside the province‑wide municipal vote that included Vancouver’s mayoral and civic races, which featured expanded voting options such as 59 advance‑voting sites and 85 polling stations on election day (see Felo coverage). The broader context of BC’s 2026 municipal elections saw high voter engagement and several plebiscite questions on public safety and capital‑plan borrowing.

Key facts

Craig Hodge was elected mayor of Coquitlam, succeeding Richard Stewart. (dailyhive.com)
Brad West was re‑elected mayor of Port Coquitlam. (dailyhive.com)
Hodge defeated Madhavee Inamdar and Trish Mandewo. (dailyhive.com)
West faced challengers Connor Fesenmaier and Pasquale Zampieri. (dailyhive.com)
Both elections took place on Oct. 17, 2026, as part of BC’s municipal elections. (dailyhive.com)