Four candidates are seeking the reeve’s chair, while the Ward 5 councillor appears headed for acclamation
Voters in Lanark Highlands will have four candidates to choose from for reeve after the nomination period for the 2026 municipal election closed Friday afternoon.
Incumbent Reeve Peter McLaren is seeking another term and will face Wesley “Wes” Pugh, Brian Stewart and current Ward 3 Coun. Allison Vereyken.
Stewart was among four candidates who filed nomination papers on Aug. 21, the final day nominations could be submitted.
Three candidates are running for deputy reeve: incumbent William “Bill” King, Frank Sodonis and current Ward 4 Coun. Marina Summers.
Both Ward 1 and Ward 2 will have two-way races.
Peter Forshaw and Keith Michaud are running in Ward 1, while incumbent Ward 2 Coun. Steven “Steve” Roberts is being challenged by Dennis Munro.
The largest council race is in Ward 3, where four candidates are seeking the seat. Barry Gervais, Daniel Keating, David Le Gard and Ryan McMurrer have filed nomination papers. Keating, Le Gard and McMurrer all filed on Aug. 21.
In Ward 4, incumbent Coun. Ronald “Ron” Closs is running against John Foliot.
Incumbent Ward 5 Coun. Laurene “Jeannie” Kelso is currently the only candidate for that seat and is expected to be acclaimed, subject to certification by the municipal clerk.
The candidate list remains unofficial. The clerk is expected to examine and certify the nominations by Monday, Aug. 24.
The municipal election will be held Oct. 26.
Candidate contact information
Reeve
| Peter McLaren | 613-259-3139 | p.mclarenfarms@sympatico.ca |
| Wesley “Wes” Pugh | 613-290-9692 | wespugh16@icloud.com |
| Brian Stewart | Phone number not provided | Email not provided |
| Allison Vereyken | 613-281-8463 | vereykenward3@outlook.com |
Deputy Reeve
| William “Bill” King | 613-259-3001 | billkingsagebrush@yahoo.ca |
| Frank Sodonis | 613-879-3622 | franksodonis@gmail.com |
| Marina Summers | 613-715-0183 | msummers4council@gmail.com |
Ward 1 Councillor
| Peter Forshaw | 705-733-6330 | forshawward1@yahoo.com |
| Keith Michaud | 613-797-2386 | keithmichaud88@gmail.com |
Ward 2 Councillor
| Steven “Steve” Roberts | 613-769-0382 | stevtawn@storm.ca |
| Dennis Munro | 613-256-2013 | tatlocktractors@gmail.com |
Ward 3 Councillor
| Barry Gervais | 613-612-9561 | barryward3@proton.me |
| Daniel Keating | Phone number not provided | contactdanielkeating@gmail.com |
| David Le Gard | 613-229-3283 | dlegard@bascon.ca |
| Ryan McMurrer | 613-852-9876 | ryanmcmurrer@hotmail.com |
Ward 4 Councillor
| Ronald “Ron” Closs | 613-220-7498 | ron.closs@sympatico.ca |
| John Foliot | Phone number not provided | john@foliot.ca |
Ward 5 Councillor
| Laurene “Jeannie” Kelso | 613-278-1391 | jeannie.kelso@bell.net |
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