Fresh faces take over Calgary city hall after 2025 election

Calgary’s political landscape is undergoing a dramatic transformation following the 2025 municipal election, with a wave of new councillors set to reshape city governance.

Following Monday’s vote, ten rookie councillors will join newly elected Mayor Jeromy Farkas, ushering in a fresh chapter for City Hall.

The election saw several incumbents either choosing not to run or losing their seats, paving the way for new voices in council chambers. Among the most notable victories was Landon Johnston in Ward 14, who won in a landslide.

Johnston gained public attention in 2024 for launching the Recall Gondek petition, a movement that some say signalled a shift in Calgarians’ political attitudes.

“The movement itself had a lot to do with the change in the attitudes of Calgarians at whole,” said one Ward 14 resident.

Another resident said Johnston was able to claim a seat due to a lack of competition.

“Given the fact that there was no particular competitor to him, he seemed to be alone in the race, so I think he’s got good support in this ward.”

Other significant wins include Rob Ward defeating Kourtney Penner in Ward 11 and Myke Atkinson unseating Terry Wong in Ward 7. These victories appear to reflect a broader appetite for change among voters, with two incumbents losing their council seats.

WATCH: ‘Change is clear’: Calgarians react to new city leaders

This election also marked the first time party politics entered Calgary’s municipal scene. However, Lori Williams, Associate Professor of Policy Studies at Mount Royal University, believes the experiment fell flat.

“Albertans generally and Calgarians in particular want representation for their community, for the issues that are important to them in those communities,” Williams says. “They don’t want representation of parties or ideology.”

“They want really pragmatic solutions to the problems they are facing.”

With a new mayor and a council filled with first-time representatives, the city could see a period of adjustment as the new team settles into their roles.

2025 Calgary City Council election results