The Battle for the Board: Alberta Municipalities Election Field Finalized
The race for the Alberta Municipalities Board of Directors is officially set, with the 2026 election slate now confirmed ahead of the Alberta Municipalities Convention in Edmonton.
Lethbridge City Councillor Jenn Schmidt-Rempel has been acclaimed as Director for Cities up to 500,000. High River Councillor Jenny Jones has also been acclaimed as Director for Towns South.
Both Schmidt-Rempel and Jones won board by-elections in November 2025 during the Alberta Municipalities Convention in Calgary following the 2025 municipal elections. In the villages category, Bill Rock, Mayor of Amisk, has been acclaimed as Director for Villages West. Rock will serve another two-year term on the board. In a social media post after the announcement of his acclamation, Rock posted, "I wish to thank the villages of Northeastern Alberta for again putting their confidence in me to represent them across Alberta"
Two vice-president positions have also been decided by acclamation. Councillor Erin Stevenson of Spruce Grove has been acclaimed Vice President for Cities up to 500,000, while Deputy Mayor Deborah Reid Mickler of the Village of Duchess has been acclaimed Vice President for Villages and Summer Villages.
That leaves three contested races to be decided during the 2026 Alberta Municipalities Convention, scheduled for September 23 to 25 at the Edmonton Convention Centre.
The race for Vice President-Towns features incumbent Vice President and Calmar Mayor Krista Gardner, Town of Devon Councillor Ben Gronberg, and High River Councillor Jenny Jones.
The Director, Towns West race includes Gardner, Onoway Mayor Bridgitte Connix, Town of Devon Councillor Ben Gronberg, and Wembley Councillor Rebecca “Becky” Ketchum.
The final contested race is for Director, Villages West, where incumbent Director and Alberta Beach Mayor Taralyn Elwood faces Jeff Bourne, Mayor of Delburne.
The elections for all contested board positions will take place during the Alberta Municipalities Annual General Meeting on Friday, September 25, 2026.
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