The New Voices of Shire Hall: Meet the Challengers of the 2026 PEC Municipal Election
Updated: Oct 13
With the 2026 municipal election underway, PEC Connect has put together this concise overview of the candidates and their platforms. This blog is based on our best efforts to find and review publicly available information for each candidate, including campaign websites, social media pages, candidate responses and other available sources. The goal is simply to give residents an easy starting point for learning more about who is running and what they are talking about.
We know campaign information can change quickly, and despite our best efforts, we may miss something or get something wrong. We invite every candidate featured here to review their section and message PEC Connect if they would like information added, corrected or updated. When a candidate asks us to update their blurb, we’ll clearly note that so readers know the information has been reviewed or provided by the candidate.
And this is just the beginning. In the coming weeks, PEC Connect will be reaching out to candidates to request interviews and learn more about their priorities, ideas and plans for Prince Edward County. Those conversations will help us create more in-depth candidate features as election day gets closer, so stay tuned!
Ward 1: Picton
In Picton, incumbents Kate MacNaughton and Phil St-Jean are up against two newcomers who bring very different expertise: finance, environmental policy and community care.
Jane Lesslie
Jane Lesslie had a 30-year career in finance before retiring to Prince Edward County in 2018. Her background includes serving as vice chair of the Audit Committee, six years on the Environmental Advisory Committee and volunteering with the County Foundation. In her 2026 campaign responses, she identifies infrastructure, financial planning, climate resilience, childcare and attracting good jobs as key issues, and supports closer financial oversight of major municipal projects.
Candidate's Platform(s): Substack
Emery Niles
Emery Niles is a candidate for one of Ward 1 Picton’s two council seats in the 2026 municipal election. As of September 25, 2026, PEC Connect had not located a campaign platform in the sources reviewed.
Candidate's Platform(s): No campaign platform found as of September 25, 2026.
Ward 2: Bloomfield/Hallowell
With incumbent Phil Prinzen retiring and Brad Nieman running for mayor, Ward 2 is wide open. Eight newcomers are now competing for the ward’s two council seats, bringing a mix of planning, housing, agriculture, sports, culture, and community experience.
Victor Lind
Victor Lind says he has worked as a community planner for 40 years after studying Urban and Regional Planning at the University of Waterloo. His campaign biography says he co-authored Ontario’s first Heritage Master Plan and worked on major residential and commercial projects. In his 2026 campaign responses, he identifies debt, property taxes, water infrastructure, housing and environmental protection among his concerns.
Candidate's Platform(s): Campaign website
Erynn Ahern
Erynn Ahern is an affordable-housing advocate associated with Radiator Collective, a community-oriented artists’ network. Local reporting has documented Ahern’s affordable-housing advocacy. Arts in the County identifies Ahern and Alex Currie of Radiator Collective as the recipients of its 2025 Community Arts Builder Award.
Candidate's Platform(s): Campaign website
Geoff Heinricks
Geoff Heinricks is a Prince Edward County winegrower and viticulture figure. A biography for the Judgement of Kingston identifies him as a former contributor to Frank magazine. In his 2026 campaign responses, Heinricks discusses water infrastructure, urban infill, agriculture, heritage and the County’s four-season economy.
Candidate's Platform(s): No campaign platform found as of September 25, 2026.
Mark Henry
Mark Henry is a former race director of the County Marathon. In 2023, the Prince Edward County Memorial Hospital Foundation reported that Henry was stepping down after about 20 years, with Brian McLean taking over. Henry says he is a farmer and previously served two terms as a school board trustee representing Wellington. In his 2026 campaign responses, he identifies affordability, water and waste management, agricultural land and fiscal responsibility among his concerns.
Candidate's Platform(s): Instagram
Mark Hopper
Mark Hopper is a photographer and retired cemetery-sector manager. In his 2026 candidate questionnaire, Hopper says he has 37 years of senior management experience and previously served as a community member on Quinte Health’s finance board. He identifies water issues, municipal spending, roads, debt and management structure among the concerns he hears from voters and considers important locally. He also raises housing at Base31 as an issue during the campaign.
Candidate's Platform(s): Facebook
Joanne Fralick
Joanne Fralick says she has lived in Ward 2 for 18 years, worked as a local journalist and written multiple books. In her 2026 candidate responses, she identifies managing growth, affordability, housing, infrastructure and water among her key concerns. She also supports long-term planning and development that fits the County’s existing communities and infrastructure.
Candidate's Platform(s): Facebook
Kyle Douglas Mayne
Kyle Douglas Mayne was a candidate for mayor of Prince Edward County in the 2022 municipal election and is running for Ward 2 Bloomfield/Hallowell council in 2026.
Candidate's Platform(s): No campaign platform found as of September 25, 2026.
Kane Rutgers
Kane Rutgers is president of the Prince Edward County Minor Baseball Association. Rutgers says he and his wife are raising four children on their farm in Prince Edward County, where his family has lived for more than 50 years. He says his connection to the land and community has given him a perspective on the opportunities and challenges facing Bloomfield/Hallowell and the County.
Candidate's Platform(s): No campaign platform found as of September 25, 2026.
Ward 4: Ameliasburgh
In Ameliasburgh, three council seats are up for grabs. Along with incumbents Sam Grosso and Janice Maynard, voters have a mix of familiar faces, former representatives and newcomers to choose from.
Dianne O'Brien
Dianne O’Brien previously served three terms, approximately 12 years, as an Ameliasburgh councillor and also served as acting mayor in 2018. She later ran for mayor in 2018 and 2022 and is seeking a Ward 4 council seat in 2026.
Andreas Bolik
Andreas Bolik previously represented Ameliasburgh after being elected in 2018 and is running again in Ward 4. He says he served almost 45 years in the Canadian Forces and has lived in Ameliasburgh since 2009. In his 2026 campaign responses, Bolik identifies property taxes, roads, water infrastructure and measured growth among his concerns, while emphasizing the County’s rural and agricultural character.
Candidate's Platform(s): No campaign platform found as of September 25, 2026.
Paul Dawson Boyd
Paul Boyd is a Ward 4 candidate. He entered the Prince Edward County mayoral race in 2018 before withdrawing and subsequently running for Ameliasburgh council. In his 2026 candidate response, Boyd identifies municipal debt as a leading concern and says residents have raised issues involving roads, staffing and taxes.
Candidate's Platform(s): No campaign platform found as of September 25, 2026.
Doug Villeneuve
Doug Villeneuve is a Ward 4 candidate. His public campaign material says he has 23 years of municipal work experience and identifies municipal spending, taxes and service delivery among his areas of interest. Doug says his priorities include reviewing municipal project budgets and timelines, examining non union staff roles and wages, reducing waste, and stabilizing property taxes. He has also spoken about rebuilding community connections and is researching development at Base31, which he plans to address later.
Candidate's Platform(s): Facebook
Ward 5: Athol
With incumbent Sam Branderhorst stepping down, Athol is guaranteed to have a new councillor. Four newcomers are competing for the ward’s single seat, each bringing a different background and set of priorities.
Anna Zak
Anna Zak describes herself as a Cherry Valley resident, homeowner, parent and local business owner who has operated Lakecroft for more than six years. She says she previously spent 15 years in telecommunications, working across IT, engineering, customer service and operations. Her 2026 campaign emphasizes connected communities, transparency and accountability, and a rural economy involving agriculture, tourism and local businesses.
Candidate's Platform(s): Campaign website
Tyler Langmuir
Tyler Langmuir is a candidate for the Ward 5 Athol council seat. Born in Picton, he says he has lived in Athol Township for most of his life, with two years elsewhere in Prince Edward County. He says his decision to run is driven by his connection to Athol Township and the County. Langmuir also highlights his family’s local history, including his grandfather George Henley, a former councillor and Picton business owner.
Candidate's Platform(s): Facebook
Emily Jane Pickstock
Emily Jane Pickstock is running for Ward 5, Athol. Her priorities include keeping the County a desirable place to live and visit, creating opportunities for young people to stay and work locally, and advocating for Athol residents. She says she would bring her education and lived experience to Council.
Candidate's Platform(s): Campaign website | Facebook
Haley Woods
Haley Woods is a Ward 5 Athol candidate. Fearless Tails lists her as a Play & Learn Supervisor, pet sitter and Fear Free-certified professional in day care and boarding. Her experience includes working in agriculture and with local businesses, as well as being active in the arts community. Woods says she wants to bring an empathetic approach to Council and represent the concerns of local residents.
Ward 6: Sophiasburgh
Incumbent Bill Roberts is facing three new candidates in Sophiasburgh, each coming into the race with a very different background and perspective.
Rachael Prinzen
Rachael Prinzen is running for Councillor in Ward 6, Sophiasburgh, after serving as North Prince Edward County trustee with the Hastings and Prince Edward District School Board. A February 2026 committee roster lists her as a trustee during the 2022 to 2026 term.
Candidate's Platform(s): Facebook
Megan Hutton
Megan Hutton says she was born in Sophiasburgh and has spent 33 years in the community. Her background includes work in business, media, the arts and non-profit organizations. In her 2026 campaign responses, she identifies affordability, responsible growth, municipal spending and water infrastructure among her priorities. She also supports an independent review of Council’s size and structure while protecting rural representation.
Candidate's Platform(s): Facebook
Leslie “Les” Chapman
Leslie “Les” Chapman is a candidate for Ward 6 Sophiasburgh.
Candidate's Platform(s): No campaign platform found as of September 25, 2026.
Ward 8: North Marysburgh
With veteran councillor David Harrison retiring, three candidates are competing to represent the agricultural heart of North Marysburgh.
Siobhan Harrison
A longtime County resident, Harrison spent 27 years living in North Marysburgh and continues to have strong family and community connections here. Her campaign priorities include: responsible municipal spending; appropriate business investment; improving roads and essential infrastructure; expediting planning decisions; protecting the rural character of the County; and working together collaboratively. She brings experience in the investment industry and not for profit administration and governance. Harrison currently serves as board president of Prince Edward Standard Condominium Corporation No. 18 and volunteers at Prince Edward County Memorial Hospital.
Candidate's Platform(s): Campaign website | Facebook
Blurb updated on 09.24.2026 at the request of the candidate.
Ken Morton
Ken Morton sold Deerhaven Farm & Garden last year after being involved with the business since it opened, becoming a shareholder in 2003 and sole owner in 2021. In his 2026 election responses, Morton identifies water infrastructure and roads as pressing issues and says he would focus on sustainable growth and farmland retention. He also supports using MAT funds to increase the roads budget.
Candidate's Platform(s): Campaign Brochure
Tracey Stevens
Tracey Stevens says she has degrees in engineering, business and educational technology and more than 20 years of experience managing complex projects. She moved the headquarters of her training and consulting company to Prince Edward County and is building a home in Prinyers. In her 2026 campaign responses, she identifies financial integrity, sustainable development, housing and infrastructure funding among her priorities.
Candidate's Platform(s): Campaign website
A New Direction for Shire Hall
This wave of new candidates shows that a lot of people in the County are ready for change. Whether voters choose experienced planners, business leaders, environmental advocates, or newcomers looking to shake things up, one thing is clear: the next Prince Edward County council could look very different from the last one.
In addition to human involvement, AI was used to conduct research on each candidate on August 29, 2026, using publicly available online and external sources available at that time. This article was originally published on September 11, 2026. Despite best efforts, errors may be made. As such, please verify all claims with each candidate (we’ve provided direct access to each candidate’s online materials where available). Candidates are welcome to reach out to us with supplemental materials, edits, and other requests.
Update notes:
[09/14/2026] Tracy Stevens reached out to PEC Connect to include her website.
[09/16/2026] Ken Morton reached out to PEC Connect to include his brochure. [09/24/2026] Siobhan Harrison's blurb was updated at the candidate's request.
[09/24/2026] Candidate information for Jane Lesslie, Mark Henry, Andreas Bolik, Megan Hutton, Ken Morton, and Tracey Stevens was updated with newly published 09.24.2026 Picton Gazette campaign responses. [10/05/2026] Dianne O'Brien's campaign platform has been updated with her Facebook and Instagram campaign pages.
[10/09/2026] Updated Jane Lesslie’s profile to include her Substack platform.
[10/12/2026] Updated Mark Henry's profile to include her Instagram platform.
[10/12/2026] Updated Emily Jane Pickstock's profile to include her Campaign website and Facebook platform.
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