Rob Howard elected Richmond’s first new mayor in 25 years

Rob Howard has been elected Richmond, B.C.’s mayor, defeating Alexa Loo by 880 votes in a closely contested race; Kash Heed finished a distant third. Howard, the city’s first new mayor in 25 years after Malcolm Brodie declined to seek re-election, said public safety would be his top priority and pledged responsible spending and cooperation with the new council. The campaign also centered on supportive housing, homelessness, drug policy and cost of living. None of the five candidates on Howard’s Richmond Forward council slate won seats, leaving a council represented by several different political groups.