Hamilton, Ontario, municipal election, 1991

Hamilton Municipal Election, 1991

November 12, 1991

Candidate Bob Morrow Brian Hinkley Bill Jones Party Independent Independent Independent Popular vote 68,374 17,143 2,723 Percentage 87.3% 4.5% 4.4%   Candidate Michael Baldasaro Party Independent Popular vote 2,507 Percentage 4.4%

Mayor before election Bob Morrow Elected Mayor Bob Morrow

The Hamilton municipal election, 1991, was held on November 12, 1994,^[1] to select one Regional Chairman, one Mayor, two alderman for each of the city's eight wards for a total of sixteen members of the Hamilton, Ontario, City Council, and members of both English and French Public and Catholic School Boards. This election marked one of the most stunning turnovers in local history, with four incumbent aldermen being defeated by political newcomers and Ward 3 Alderman Brian Hinkley being soundly defeated in his bid for the mayoralty against incumbent Mayor Bob Morrow.^[1][2]

Regional Chairman Election

Mayoral Election

In late October, an article ran in the Hamilton Spectator critiquing the mayor for what was perceived as political self-aggrandizing while noting that his 1988–1991 term was marked by successes for the city. In the piece, Morrow noted that he felt his strongest competition would come from Ward 3 Alderman Brian Hinkley, a New Democrat with an extensive record at city hall.^[3]

In early debates, most notably one hosted by Hamilton's Junior Chamber of Commerce, Hinkley was an aggressive opponent of Morrow's leadership style, accusing the mayor of "over-promising and under-delivering to the community."^[4] Morrow attacked Hinkley for his ties to the New Democrats and his stance on the Red Hill Valley Parkway.^[4]

Hinkley focused his campaign on the lack of real choice offered to Hamiltonian voters in past elections, even running with the slogan, "This time you have a real choice."^[5] Widely critiqued in local media for leading what was known as the "Gang of Four" New Democratic caucus on council, Hinkley gained a reputation as a strong worker with community-based issues, relating well with constituents and ensuring that Hamilton's marginalized people had a voice at the decision making table.^[5]

For his part in the race, Michael Baldasaro attempted to repeat his 1988 success, garnering over 7,500 votes against Morrow. Baldasaro announced he would be creating political trading cards for his campaign, though there was no follow-up as to the status of the project. Though he was contesting the mayoral election, a disciple of his Church of the Universe sought election in Ward 6, dividing Baldasro and campaign manager Walter Tucker's attention.^[6]

Political newcomer Bill Jones as, at the time, a 30-year-old employee of Dofasco, was less than enthusiastic about his chances, telling the Spectator he did not expect to win, rather make a statement about the state of Hamilton's politics at the time. Jones was not affiliated with any political party, and had not sought elected office before entering the race for mayor. An advocate of more direct democracy, Jones wanted to cut the mayor's salary and put constituent needs ahead of political goals. When asked why he did not seek the open aldermanic seat in Ward 3 where he lived, Jones said that he felt the mayor would have more say.^[7]

City Council election

Ward One (West Hamilton-McMaster)

Ward Two (Downtown)

Ward Three (East Hamilton-Stipley)

Ward Four (East Hamilton-Barton)

Ward Five (Red Hill-Rosedale)

Ward Six (East Mountain)

Ward Seven (Central Mountain)

Ward Eight (West Mountain)

References

Municipal Elections in Hamilton, Ontario One-year Terms 1847 1848 1849 1850 1851 1852 1853 1854 1855 1856 1857 1858 1859 1860 1861 1862 1863 1864 1865 1866 1867 1868 1869 1870 1871 1872 1873 1874 1875 1876 1877 1878 1879 1880 1881 1882 1883 1884 1885 1886 1887 1888 1889 1890 1891 1892 1893 1894 1895 1896 1897 1898 1899 1900 1901 1902 1903 1904 1905 1906 1907 1908 1909 1910 1911 1912 1913 1914 1915 1916 1917 1918 1919 1920 1921 1922 1923 1924 1925 1926 1927 1928 1929 1930 1931 1932 1933 1934 1935 1936 1937 1938 1939 1940 1941 1942 1943 1944 1945 1946 1947 1948 1949 1950 1951 1952 1953 Two-year terms 1954 1956 1958 1960 1962 1964 1966 1968 1970 1972 Special election upon creation of the Region of Hamilton-Wentworth 1973 Reversion to two-year terms 1976 1978 1980 Three-year terms 1982 1985 1988 1991 1994 1997 2000 2003 Four-year terms 2006 2010 2014 2018