When Kristin Murray threw her hat in for the Timmins’ municipal election, she didn’t expect that she would win the campaign for a councillor position of ward 5.
But last Monday that’s exactly what happened during election night.
“As the polls were dropping, cuz you could see them there were thirteen polls total and initially I was always in the top two, so I wasn’t sure if I was going to stay there, so I was excited but didn’t wanna get my hopes up and then as the eighth poll dropped, I noticed I was in first place and then as the thirteenth one went in I was like ‘oh my gosh, I topped the polls,’” said Murray.
Murray, who is originally from Chapleau Cree First Nation, said two separate incidents involving the Timmins police which resulted in the deaths of Joey Knapaysweet and Agnes Sutherland made it clear that she had to run.
She said she’ll remain true to her campaign promises.
“I’m hoping to accomplish a more connected community, I think that there’s so much diversity within our city and that hasn’t been something we focus on really, an engaged community so that’s obviously my number one goal.”
Cory Robin is a Cree contender in the same ward as Murray, he ran a close race, but fell two votes short.
“We watched each poll come in and at first I was losing for a bit and then i was winning by about five votes as half of them came in and then that last poll came in and I was down by two points,” said Robin.
Robin has asked for a recount, which will take place in the council chambers tomorrow., “we’re gonna be looking at the rejected ballots just to make sure they were properly rejected.”
Murray will take over her new position in December.
