First-timers and familiar faces register as candidates on busy first day of nominations for London’s 2026 Municipal Election

A line-up of candidates register for the 2026 Municipal Election in London, Ont. on May 1, 2026. (Daryl Newcombe/CTV News London)

The first day of the nomination period for London’s 2026 Municipal Election saw a long line-up of candidates waiting in the lobby of city hall to file their paperwork.

Candidates must file their forms before they can begin fundraising and campaigning for one of 14 councillor seats, the mayor’s office, or to be a school board trustee.

It was a noticeably busier start to the morning than in 2022.

Putting their names on the ballot this time around were a mix of first-time candidates, incumbents, and even a former councillor seeking to return after 16 years out of public office.

Roger Caranci is running in Ward 1, having last represented the east-London ward in 2010 and launching an unsuccessful mayoral campaign in 2014.

“I’ve been heavily involved in affordable housing, and I’ve seen what we can do as a city,” Caranci said about returning to politics. “I’ve seen the pitfalls that we fall into, and I want to help address the issue.”

But Caranci would have to unseat incumbent Hadleigh McAlister who filed his nomination papers to continue representing Ward 1.

“Homelessness is still top of mind, especially in my ward,” McAlister told CTV News. “A lot of infrastructure issues, we’re still feeling the growing pains [in the] city from housing.”

Changes made in 2024 to ward boundaries will continue to see Hamilton Road serve as a spine running through Ward 1, but now much of Old East Village has been added.

“I really think it is becoming a core east-end ward,” McAlister said. “[There’s] a lot of issues to be dealt with, but I think we are on the right track.”

Another ward boundary change will see incumbent Corrine Rahman try to switch from representing Ward 7 to Ward 5.

“The reason for that is, with the boundary change, my home is now in Ward 5,” Rahman explained.

“There’s more work to be done, and I think I bring a clear vision to the table for our city and for the community that I represent,” she said about seeking a second term.

Four years ago, Sarah Lehman was the runner-up in Ward 14.

She was first to register as a candidate in what could be a crowded ballot to replace Coun. Steve Hillier who announced he will not be seeking re-election.

“I ran back in 2022 because I really believed that the southeast end of London needed somebody with a strong voice,” Lehman said.

This time around, she’ll have a brand-new volunteer on her campaign team.

“I did give birth a week ago today [to] little Alexander. You will see me out on that campaign trail going to doors with my little helper strapped to my chest. He is very excited. He came early so I could file today!”

Ian Sterling Leishman has thrown his hat in the ring as a candidate in Ward 6.

He suggests there are advantages to being a first-time candidate.

“I’m a new candidate, and something new for politics, [I’m] not going to make promises that I can’t keep!” he said.

Known for being the president of the Old South Business Association, Leishman believes affordability will be a critical issue for voters.

“The [property] tax increase that was proposed of 33 per cent in four years is absolutely out of control!” Leishman said regarding important issues in the campaign. “[Those] kind of taxes are an affordability killer, and so someone needs to do something about it. The answer can’t always be [to] throw more money at it.”

A full list of candidates who have filed their paperwork can be found on the City of London’s website.

The deadline to file a nomination is no later than 2 p.m. on Aug. 21.

The 2026 municipal election will be held on Oct. 26.