Surrey Gears Up for 2026 Mayoral Race as Candidates Begin to Emerge
As Surrey, British Columbia prepares for the October 17, 2026 municipal election, attention is turning to who will lead one of Canada’s fastest-growing cities. The mayoral race is expected to be competitive, with the incumbent seeking re-election and several experienced political figures either confirmed or widely expected to run.
Surrey’s rapid population growth, infrastructure pressures, public safety debates, and housing challenges make the 2026 election a critical moment for the city’s future direction.
Brenda Locke: Incumbent Mayor Seeking a Second Term
Brenda Locke, Surrey’s current mayor, is expected to seek re-election. She was elected in 2022 under the Surrey Connect banner after campaigning on a promise to halt the transition from the RCMP to a municipal police force.
Since taking office, Locke has focused on public safety, community engagement, and restoring stability after years of political division at City Hall. Her tenure has included continued debate over policing costs, city finances, and long-term development planning. As the incumbent, Locke enters the race with the advantage of name recognition and a record voters can evaluate directly.
Linda Annis: Surrey First’s Mayoral Candidate
Linda Annis, a long-time Surrey city councillor, has officially launched her campaign for mayor under the Surrey First banner. Surrey First is one of the city’s most established municipal political organizations, with a history of running coordinated council slates.
Annis brings years of council experience and has positioned herself as a candidate focused on practical governance, fiscal responsibility, and balanced growth. Her campaign has already begun assembling council candidates, signaling a full-scale effort to challenge the current administration.
Mike Starchuk: New Leadership Under Imagine Surrey
Mike Starchuk, a former Surrey city councillor and former NDP Member of the Legislative Assembly for Surrey-Cloverdale, is running under a new slate called Imagine Surrey.
Starchuk previously served on city council and later at the provincial level, giving him experience in both municipal and provincial governance. His expected mayoral bid represents an attempt to offer voters an alternative outside the city’s long-standing civic parties. His campaign is likely to appeal to residents looking for a different leadership style and a reset in civic priorities.
Doug McCallum: Former Mayor Widely Expected to Return
Former mayor Doug McCallum is widely expected to run again, although he had not formally confirmed his candidacy as of early 2026. McCallum served as Surrey’s mayor from 1996 to 2005 and again from 2018 to 2022.
His most recent term was defined by the controversial plan to replace the RCMP with a Surrey-based police service, an issue that continues to shape local politics. A McCallum return would likely re-energize supporters who favor strong law-and-order policies, while also reigniting debate among critics of his previous administration.
Other Possible Candidates and Election Context
While the candidates above are the most prominent figures currently known or expected to run, Surrey’s municipal elections often attract additional independent candidates and community leaders. The official nomination period has not yet closed, leaving room for new entrants.
Key issues expected to dominate the campaign include public safety and policing, housing affordability, transportation and infrastructure, fiscal management, and managing growth while preserving community services.
A High-Stakes Municipal Election Ahead
With Brenda Locke defending her record, Linda Annis mounting an organized challenge, Mike Starchuk introducing a new political slate, and Doug McCallum potentially staging a comeback, Surrey’s 2026 mayoral race is shaping up to be one of the most closely watched municipal contests in British Columbia.
As candidates refine their platforms and voters weigh competing visions, the election will play a major role in determining how Surrey navigates its next phase of growth and governance.
