Defaced campaign sign of Calgary’s mayor latest in surge of election vandalism

With Calgary’s municipal election just days away, a wave of vandalism targeting political candidates has intensified — and now, incumbent Mayor Jyoti Gondek has become the latest victim.

In northwest Calgary, one of Gondek’s re-election signs was found defaced this week, with her surname and part of her face cut out.

The incident adds to a growing list of similar acts reported across the city, raising concerns about the tone of the campaign and the safety of political expression.

Just days earlier, Ward 5 candidate Reet Mushiana and Ward 9’s Gar Gar also reported their signs had been vandalized or stolen. Elections Calgary confirmed that tampering with campaign signage constitutes property damage and should be reported to police.

Political analyst Lori Williams noted the unusual uptick in such incidents.

“This is a bit of a wave in the municipal election,” she said. “It’s a bit unusual from that perspective, but yes, we have seen vandalism of signs periodically.”

In a statement provided to CityNews, Gondek says it is okay to disagree politically, but vandalism shows a lack of respect.

“Vandalizing campaign signs takes away from the conversations that really matter,” reads the statement. “I believe most people want a fair, positive campaign focused on the best ideas for Calgarians.”

Williams believes the surge in vandalism reflects the competitive and polarized nature of this year’s race, with Gondek likely among the top contenders. She also pointed to troubling undertones in some of the defacement.

“Some of the people who engage in vitriol online are acting that vitriol out in some cases,” she says. “The very unfortunate thing about this is that the signs that we’re seeing being vandalized seem to reflect misogyny and racism.”

As Calgary prepares to vote on Oct. 20, Williams hopes the focus will return to policy debates and constructive dialogue — not property damage.