Red Deer's new mayor-elect Cindy Jefferies. (rdnewsNOW/Josh Hall)

By Josh Hall | @Vancan19

Election results

Red Deer mayor-elect Cindy Jefferies reacts to win, rest of council announced

Oct 23, 2025 | 12:05 AM

Cindy Jefferies admitted Tuesday it was an unusual way to find out she’d been elected mayor.

On a TV screen, Jefferies was shown as the far and away leader in the race for mayor during a press conference at Westerner Park, as the municipality shared it is still working through delays in the hand counting of ballots.

That, of course, is the case because the provincial government slapped a ban on using electronic tabulators.

While most other municipalities had results late Monday or early Tuesday, Red Deer explained further Tuesday that because it doesn’t have a ward system, that has exacerbated the difficulty of counting ballots by hand with there being so many candidates — 24 for council and 33 for school divisions — on each one.

Results for councillors were released later Wednesday, so the moment on Tuesday really did belong to Jefferies, as other candidates looked on, and offered applause when the monitor showed her with a lead of just under 3,000 votes.

Feb. 16

Construction on Gaetz Avenue bridge begins Monday

11h ago

Jan. 28

Red Deer RCMP arrest man for alleged drug trafficking

11h ago

Saddened by suspects actions

Queer Neighbours Society calls for respect for transgender community amidst tragedy in Tumbler Ridge

12h ago

Her 6,237 votes gave her 41 per cent of the vote, with the next highest at 23 per cent, that being Gareth Scott with just over 3,483 votes. Victor Doerksen received just over 3,143 for 20 per cent, with Lawrence Lee getting 2,215 for 14 per cent, and John Gallagher received 298 votes for two per cent.

Joining Jefferies on council will be:

Elected

Tristin Brisbois 6,703

Cassandra Curtis 6,422

Chad Krahn 6,249

Kraymer Barnstable 6,235

Dianne Wyntjes 6,069

Jaelene Tweedle 5,635

Adam Goodwin 5,290

Bruce Buruma 5,241

Not elected

Calvin Goulet-Jones 5,050

Hans Huizing 4,810

Brandon Bouchard 4,528

Ashley MacDonald 3,832

Buck Buchanan 3,660

Zainab Mohamoud 3,478

Thomas Sypkes 3,459

Gabriel Beck 3,370

Gail Parks 2,809

Calvin Yzerman 2,265

Haley Wile 1,986

Christian Comete 1,843

Kevin klerks 1,699

Don Robinson 1,286

Greg Martin 656

Anthony Klywak 444

—

“It’s a little bit overwhelming, I have to say. Sitting and waiting for the last 24 hours has been nerve-wracking,” Jefferies acknowledged.

“I’m excited to jump into this new role and work with a strong team.”

Jefferies was first elected to city council in 2004, then was re-elected in 2007 and 2010. She lost her first bid for mayor to Tara Veer in 2013, though not by much.

In 2021, she was once again elected to council, earning the second most votes behind only the late Michael Dawe; the two of them each had more than 11,000 votes, and were the only two with more than 9,000.

Jefferies served as a trustee for Red Deer Public Schools from 1995-2004, and as chair from 1998-2004.

She also has a number of volunteer credits to her name, including being co-founder of 100+ Women Who Care (Red Deer).

“[The support] blows me away. As soon as I let word out to more than my circle of friends that I was going to run, a group of people rallied around to help and everyone stepped up. It’s unbelievable to me how many people were there and would do whatever was asked,” says Jefferies, who earned a Bachelor of Arts Degree in Communications from the University of Calgary in 1988.

“I think it speaks to the character of Red Deer and the people in the community that care in a very deep way. I’m absolutely humbled.”

Red Deer had 11 forums for candidates during the campaign, and while it was a lot, Jefferies believes it was good training for the job.

“I’ve never seen a campaign like that before, [where we had] that many opportunities to be in front of the public and to address questions, this time a little more focused than normal. I’m not sure why that is, but it’s something to consider as we go forward,” she said.

“To have five of us running for mayor, was unbelievable. I can’t say enough about how cordial everyone has been, respectful, and supportive of one another. I thank them for putting their name forward and wanting the very best for Red Deer.”

Jefferies said her priorities start with gelling as a council team, especially with several new council members, then there’s dealing with the upcoming budget, as well as the Alberta Municipalities convention in November, and “landing the plane” on the permanent shelter issue.

She also said housing and economic development are key puzzle pieces for council to get a handle on.

“I’m thankful for those who came out and voted, for those who came to have conversations and expressed concerns or desires for this city,” she said.

“It’s an important time for our community and I have a lot of hopes that Red Deer will come out very, very strong after four years of a new council. The division and the negativity sometimes frustrates people, so let’s move forward together. I think that whether you voted for me as mayor or not, I’m here to represent the best interests for Red Deer and that includes all.”

—

READ MORE: Election results from around central Alberta

—

School Division Results

Red Deer Public – elected

Angela Sommers 3,320

Nicole Buchanan 3,180

Dianne Macaulay 3,119

Jim Watters 3,038

Emilee Baird Smith 2,753

Nathan Davies 2,749

Jason Dalstra 2,722

Not elected

Sheri Christensen 2,701

Jenessa Parker 2,581

Cathy Peacocke 2,573

Danielle Williams 2,342

Shelley Lynn Odishaw 2,187

Jessica Symons 1,881

David Farrell 1,851

Red Deer Catholic – elected

Red Deer: Chris Andrew 2,020

Red Deer: Brenda MacDonald 1,354

Red Deer: Martin Reed 1,082

Red Deer: Cynthia Leyson 1,050

Red Deer: Emily Huber 1,037

QEII WARD – Bowden, Didsbury, Innisfail and Olds: Edward Wiper 156

HWY 11 WARD – Caroline, Eckville, Rocky Mountain House and Sylvan Lake: Cathy Bouchard 286

Not elected

Murray Hollman 1,036

Matthew Donovan 1,021

John Groenen 974

Rod Steeves 921

Kim Pasula 911

Gabriel Beck 825

Ashley Hunter 811

Sinead Holstein 484

Ethan Borle 435