Winnipeg is just over three weeks away from officially entering the 2026 election season.

The registration period for mayoral candidates opens on May 1, allowing prospective contestants to begin raising and spending money in a race that concludes nearly six months later on Oct. 28.

While much of the voting public doesn’t start paying attention until September, the relatively long registration period allows candidates to hire staff, rent campaign headquarters and spend money on websites, pamphlets, advertising and other promotional materials.

Candidates for council seats have lower fundraising and spending limits, but also less time to meet those targets. Their registration period begins on June 30.

Here’s what we know for now about who’s running for mayor and council — and who’s considering it:

The race for mayor

Scott Gillingham, Winnipeg’s mayor since 2022 and a city councillor for eight years before that, announced his intention to seek a second term early, in July 2025.

While no incumbent has been defeated in this city since 1956, when George Sharpe lost to Stephen Juba, Gillingham only squeaked by in 2022 with 27.5 per cent of the popular vote.

Right now, he doesn’t face a crowded field of challengers.

Don Woodstock, who garnered two per cent of the popular vote in the 2018 mayoral race and one per cent in 2022, plans to run again this year, according to a campaign website set up last year, well before the registration period starts.

Mike Vogiatzakis, who registered to run for mayor in 2014 but fell short of the number of valid signatures required to complete the nomination process, also intends to run this year, based on statements on his Facebook page.

Former city councillor and PC MLA Kevin Klein, who finished third in the 2022 mayoral race, said Monday he’s considering another stab at the gig. He currently works as the president and CEO of the Klein Group, which publishes the Winnipeg Sun. 

Klein said if he does run for mayor this year, he’ll do it earlier than he did four years ago, when he entered the race in July.

Council races that could be open (6)

The future is unclear for Russ Wyatt, who represented Transcona from 2022 to 2018 and returned to council in 2022.

In March, police charged Wyatt with sexual assault and administering a noxious substance. His lawyer said the councillor is innocent.

Former Transcona councillor Shawn Nason, who was defeated by Wyatt in 2022, said Monday he’s thinking about running in the ward this fall. Lora Meseman, the executive director of the General Council of Winnipeg Community Centre, also said Monday she’s considering entering the Transcona race.

After initially joining council in a 2009 byelection, John Orlikow said Monday he’s still considering his future in River Heights-Fort Garry. Brian Mayes, who became councillor for St. Vital in a 2011 byelection, said he too is mulling his future and will make a decision this month.

Janice Lukes, who was first elected in what was then St. Norbert in 2014 and now represents Waverley West, said Monday she will announce in June whether she will run for a fourth term. Matt Allard, also first elected in 2014, has not responded to questions about his intentions in St. Boniface.

Also keeping her cards close is Sherri Rollins in Fort Rouge-East Fort Garry, who was first elected in 2018. Urban planner Jeff Palmer, who came within 566 votes of Rollins in the 2018 election, said Monday he is considering a second campaign in the ward.

Council races with an incumbent (9)

Jeff Browaty, first elected in North Kildonan in 2006, hopes to extend his run as the longest continuously serving member of council by winning his sixth term. A prospective challenger named Tyler Andersen created a campaign website in March — well before the registration period starts — but took it down.

In 2022, Old Kildonan’s Devi Sharma and Markus Chambers in St. Norbert-Seine River faced no election competition and were acclaimed. Both intend to be back this fall, with or without competition. Sharma is seeking her fifth term on council; Chambers is seeking his third.

Ross Eadie, first elected in Mynarski in 2010, is looking for a fifth term on council. Cindy Gilroy, first elected in Daniel McIntyre in 2014, is seeking her fourth, while Vivian Santos in Point Douglas, first elected in 2018, is aiming for her third term.

Shawn Dobson, who served one term in the now-defunct St. Charles ward before returning to council in St. James in 2022, intends to run for a third term this fall. Kelly Ryback, who finished 1,187 votes behind Dobson in the 2022 election, said Monday he is considering a rematch this fall.

Two council rookies are also looking to extend their stays: Coun. Evan Duncan, first elected in Charleswood-Tuxedo-Westwood in 2022; and Coun. Emma Durand-Wood, who won the 2025 Elwmood-East Kildonan byelection.