With all ballots counted early Tuesday morning, former Ward 11 councillor Jeromy Farkas has edged out Communities First leader Sonya Sharp in the unofficial results of the 2025 Calgary mayoral election.
Following a neck-and-neck race with his rival overnight, results released by the city say Farkas received 91,065 votes, while Sharp has 90,480.
If the numbers hold, Farkas will be Calgary’s 38th mayor. He’ll also be the first to unseat an incumbent mayor since 1980.
Fewer than 600 votes separate the two frontrunners. Under provincial law, if the results are within half a percentage point of the total number of ballots cast for mayor, a recount may be requested. In this case, that difference is approximately 0.17 per cent of the total 348,626 ballots cast, meaning Sharp is eligible to apply for a recount.
Gondek, who defeated 26 challengers in 2021 to become the first female mayor in the city’s history, conceded the 2025 mayoral race at a campaign party at the Palomino Smokehouse in Calgary shortly before midnight Monday.
“This didn’t end up the way that we had all hoped, but I’m standing here very proud of what we have built together, and I’m profoundly grateful for the privilege of having served this incredible city, the best city in the world,” Gondek told supporters.
Jyoti Gondek concedes in Calgary’s mayor race
In addition to Gondek, Brian Thiessen, former chair of the Calgary Police Commission and mayoral candidate with The Calgary Party, also conceded the race.
In a statement, he wrote that while the results weren’t what he had hoped for, the party had “built something real: a movement of citizens who believe city hall must put Calgarians first.”
“The work doesn’t stop here,” Thiessen added. “Our team will keep pushing for the same ideas we championed throughout this campaign, including safer communities, housing, and a city hall that listens.”
Successful city councillor candidates are expected to be announced by Tuesday afternoon while results in the school trustee elections are expected later Tuesday.
Follow results — as they roll in — in the races for mayor, city council and school trustee here.
