In Prince George, the competition for the mayor’s seat is intensifying as current mayor Simon Yu confirms his candidacy for re-election, despite facing challenges from two popular city councillors. Garth Frizzell, who has served on the council for five terms since 2008, and Kyle Sampson, elected in 2018 and 2022, are also vying for the position. Additionally, Roy Stewart, a local attorney who finished third in the previous mayoral election, is in the running.
It is uncommon for incumbent mayors to be contested by sitting councillors in Prince George, a city without a party system. The city of around 90,000 residents follows an at-large voting system where each voter can cast a ballot for one mayor and up to eight councillors, fostering a cooperative political environment.
Historically, councillors have typically waited for the mayor to step down before entering the mayoral race. However, there have been exceptions, such as when Coun. Shari Green unseated the mayor in 2011.
Yu, unfazed by the formidable opponents, believes voters will assess the candidates based on qualifications, experience, passion, and leadership abilities.
In comparison to Frizzell and Sampson, Yu is relatively new to city politics, having won the mayoral election in 2022 without prior elected leadership experience. Leveraging his background as a civil engineer, he pledged to approach city challenges with a methodical and analytical mindset.
Looking ahead, Yu aims to address issues like homelessness, mental health, drug addiction, and bolster Prince George’s role as a service hub for the region’s resource industries.
During the previous mayoral race, Yu secured 6,092 votes, representing approximately 40% of the total votes cast. Frizzell garnered 6,911 votes, with Sampson closely behind at 6,840, placing second and third, respectively.
Frizzell plans to draw on his business ownership experience and 18-year council tenure, including leading the Federation of Canadian Municipalities. His priorities include rebuilding trust in government, enhancing public safety, and focusing on economic development amid emerging resource projects in the area.
Sampson, the youngest council member elected in 2018 at age 25, built his reputation through event promotion and as a communications manager for a local brewery. He envisions making Prince George an attractive destination by streamlining city hall operations to enhance affordability and boost the tax base.
Both candidates see the upcoming municipal election on October 17 as an opportunity to address the city’s challenges and seize economic prospects in the region.
