Ariel Troster will be returning to city hall after Somerset ward residents re-elected the incumbent councillor to represent them again in Monday’s election.
Troster’s margin victory was nearly identical to last year, with 61.89 per cent of voters casting their ballots for her on Monday, while 61.28 voted for her last year.
Opposition to Troster this year was less united than during the last election, with votes largely being split between candidates Robert Dekker and Michael Tay, who garnered just over 19 and just under 14 per cent of the vote respectively.
Voters in the Somerset ward have traditionally favoured progressive candidates. Before Troster, NDP MPP Catherine McKenney was the ward’s representative in city hall, until they dropped out to run for mayor in Ottawa’s 2022 election.
Long lines were reported in parts of the ward, with Troster heading to social media to encourage voters to stay in line before polls closed at 8 p.m.
Supporters packed into the Deacon Brodies Pub on Elgin Street to cheer Troster on as results poured in on televisions scattered across the bar. Cheers broke out as polls began to show a decisive victory was in grasp for Troster.
“I’m excited to continue fighting for this neighbourhood, because downtown neighbourhoods are where people live, not just where they work and park,” Troster told the Citizen.
The most pressing issue she heard about on the campaign trail was homelessness, she added. “There is a need to tackle chronic homelessness and the security issues that result from when people are not cared for in the way that they need to be.”
Simon Topp, a Somerset resident who attended the event to support Troster, said that she won his vote because of her compassion when dealing with issues involving both homelessness, the opioid crisis and public safety in the ward.
“She’s going to be the one that pushes for a compassionate but effective solution for safety in Somerset,” Topp, who sits on the Board of Directors of Horizon Ottawa, an organisation focused on progressive issues in local politics.
Michael Tay, a key challenger to Troster, who came in third place in Monday’s race, congratulated the reelected councillor, saying he’s looking forward to working with her in the future.
While he is feeling the difficulty of tonight’s loss, Tay said he aims to continue to be engaged in city politics leading up to the 2030 election. “Oh, I’ll be back,” the social worker and community advocate said.
Troster thanked her opponents for a respectful campaign, and called on Somerset ward residents to continue to hold her accountable, asking residents to reach out to her or raise concerns directly when they see her.
“This community holds me accountable, they hold me accountable when I walk my dog or go grocery shopping, and I wouldn’t want it any other way,” she said. “I really look forward to continuing these conversations.”
ELECTION RESULTS FROM MORE OTTAWA WARDS:
Orléans East-Cumberland
Orléans West-Innes
Barrhaven West
Kanata North
West Carleton-March
Stittsville
Bay
College
Knoxdale-Merivale
Gloucester-Southgate
Beacon Hill-Cyrville
Rideau-Vanier
Rideau-Rockcliffe
Somerset
Kitchissippi
River
Capital
Alta Vista
Orléans South-Navan
Osgoode
Rideau-Jock
Riverside South-Findlay Creek
Kanata South
Barrhaven East
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