Lukas Oakley, Ward 2 Councillor for the County of Brant, issued a statement announcing that he will not be running for re-election when the municipal election rolls around on Monday, October 26, 2026. The following is Oakley’s full statement regarding his decision not to seek re-election.
“This week, the nomination period for this year’s municipal election here in the County of Brant opens up, and over the last twelve months I have had many folks reach out to ask me if I will be running again for the 2026 to 2030 term. My answer has always been that if I was able to do so, I would love to have the opportunity to serve this community again. The time I have spent thus far as your elected representative to the County of Brant Council has been incredibly rewarding and I had always intended to seek your vote a second time. That being said, it is with a heavy heart that I must let you all know that I will not be running for re-election this coming election to instead pursue a full-time career in public service.
This decision was reached this past December with much discussion with family, friends, mentors, and my municipal peers. As I have spoken about a few times over my term, and others have shared in their own experiences, serving in municipal office is very demanding both personally and professionally. Particularly as someone who is under thirty (for a few more months anyways!), this is doubly so. Daytime, afternoon, and evening meetings, plus weekend engagements are difficult to maneuver a career around in your late twenties. As such, I have made this decision to focus both on my family and career for the time being, and in such a fashion that I can continue to dedicate my professional life to serving the public.
I have been incredibly fortunate to serve as your councillor these past four years. Together with my incredible colleagues around the horseshoe, we have improved transparency through mandated recorded voting, made meaningful change in funding services for those experiencing gender-based violence, pushed for meaningful climate action, and made strides towards more affordable and attainable housing in our community. The work we’ve done together as a community matters, and I am grateful for every moment spent serving you.
I thank you again for the great privilege and responsibility you entrusted me with four years ago, I will always be grateful for this experience. I hope that I have the opportunity and privilege to be able to serve this community again in the future.”
