Macri wins LaSalle mayor's race by 35 votes

Michael Macri will lead LaSalle after edging incumbent Crystal Meloche by 35 votes in one of the closest local races in recent memory.

Macri drew 5,051 votes to Meloche's 5,016, with Shaun Dass finishing third at 3,197. Meloche, LaSalle's first female mayor, said she was at peace with the result. "It's a disappointing loss to me. I think it was something like 35 votes, but the town will be in good hands," she said. Macri campaigned on a mix of continuity and change, telling voters, "I think people were looking for a degree of continuity, but a degree of change too." He has pledged to hold property taxes flat for 2027 while reviewing the budget line by line, and to restructure town administration to include an economic development team. He also said he would examine whether each capital spending item is a want or a need. Affordability emerged as a recurring theme as he campaigned, he said. Meloche pointed to a different set of factors behind the result, citing misinformation and negative campaigning during the contest. She also offered advice for her successor: "Remember who you work for, but at the same time remember that every decision you make is for 37,000 people, not just for the 10 or 20 people who sometimes message you more often." In the deputy mayor's race, incumbent Michael Akpata secured a second term with 6,231 votes, ahead of Tory McKay at 4,385 and Simon Jacques at 1,949. Five councillors were elected: Mike Seguin (6,090), Jeff Renaud (5,894), Ivana White (5,893), Brad Krewench (5,014) and Anita Riccio-Spagnuolo (4,778). Certified results are expected on Tuesday.

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