Re-elected Sault Mayor Matthew Shoemaker says his message resonated with voters

Well, I wrote two speeches, so we'll be giving that one. We got steel tariffs. We've had an uncertain economy since the beginning of 2025, and people want to know that there is a plan ahead of them for economic diversification to take care of their health care needs. And that's what I tried to present to people. That's what I tried to champion, and that's what I think resonated with people, is the ideas behind the campaign. Joel Roswell received over 10,000 votes tonight. What do you say to those voters tonight after your election win? Our campaign, just like the last election, I think the vote split is different because of the number of candidates who placed in the overall results. but I think that the city was able to move forward last time and will be able to move forward. We obviously heard the message from constituents that ensuring our infrastructure is a priority is critical. Ensuring that community safety is a priority is critical. We have been putting money into those things but there is a need to continue to do so and I've committed to continuing to do so. Your first term was shaped by challenges that mayors shouldn't have to face. For example, tariffs, the homelessness, mental health addictions, provincial responsibility. How do you think that helped shape your campaign this time around and will help shape the next four years? Look, I ran on a platform last time and I like to say that I achieved 90% of what I came to office promising to do. But I also had to tackle a bunch of challenges when it comes to the YMCA almost closing, Harvest Algoma almost closing. So it's not about, you know, there is definite merit to what you put in the window. I think that voters connect with what you are putting in the window as a promise. But I think it shaped the last four years and the challenges we've dealt with, shaped the results because it's not just what you put in the window. It's how you deal with the balls that are thrown at you and not just what you came to deliver on.