Kyle Sampson was first out of the starting blocks in the race for a seat on city council, launching his campaign in June.
The strategy paid off as Sampson captured 8,304 votes in Saturday’s election, polling second behind perennial poll-topper Brian Skakun.
Skakun topped the city council race with 9,475 votes, Sampson polled second with 8,304, Garth Frizzel captured 8,199, Murry Krause managed 8,008 votes, Susan Scott received 7,775, Terri McConnachie 7,111, Frank Everitt 6,680, and newcomer Cori Ramsay 5,693 to round out the councillors-elect. Dave Fuller (5,001), Cameron Stolz (4,971), Viv Fox (3,697), Chris Wood (2,266), and Paul Serup (1,746) did not get elected.
Rookie politician Sampson was ecstatic Saturday when the results came in.
“Proud, humble, happy, excited, all the good adjectives that there could be,” he said about how he was feeling shortly after the final results were announced.
“I just wanted to run the best campaign I could,” he said. “I worked as hard as I could. I really wanted to encourage people to just vote … I know we saw a lower turnout than last election, but I think we saw a wider range of people voting.”
It will be a steep learning curve for Sampson, and fellow rookie Cori Ramsay, but he’s looking forward to it.
“I have lots to bring, but I have lots to learn,” he said. “I’m looking forward to learning from six great incumbents … We’ve got a future ahead in Prince George and I’m really proud to be part of that.”
Incumbent Susan Scott was also feeling “terrific” Saturday.
“I think it’s an affirmation of the solid work that’s been done in the last four years and the willingness, by people, to have this work augmented by two wonderful new voices, to keep going.”
