'Bowmentum' propels Brian Bowman to victory as Winnipeg's new mayor

Brian Bowman will be Winnipeg's first new mayor in 10 years when he is sworn in on Nov. 4.

Bowman was elected Wednesday with 111,504votes,or 47.54 per cent of the vote. His closest rival,JudyWasylycia-Leis, who initially tookthe lead just after polls closed, ended up with 58,440votesor 24.92 per cent.

"I can't express the honour, the gratitude and the excitement I feel right now,"Bowman said during a victory speech assupporters chanted "Bowmentum, Bowmentum."

Bowman came into the race with no political experience and early on in the campaign was listed by pollsters as having about three per cent support. That exploded in the past couple of weeks, sending him to a bigger win than anyone had predicted.

"I'm excited to tell you that positive change is coming to city hall," he told supporters.

Wasylycia-Leisconceded shortly before 9:30 p.m., calling the campaign a roller-coaster.

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Wasylycia-Leis said she called Bowman and "I wished him well on his journey and I congratulated him for a decisive victory."

She added,"I will continue to fight with every breathto build a stronger city, a city that works."

Robert-FalconOuellettecame in third place with36,823votes, whileGordSteeveshas21,080votes. Rounding out the pack wereDavid Sanders, PaulaHavixbeckand MichelFillion.

Bowman succeeds Sam Katz, who has been mayor of the Manitoba capital since 2004 and is not seeking re-election.

Winnipeggers had from 8 a.m.until 8 p.m. to vote for mayor, councillors and school trustees.

Has no political experience

Bowman, a 42-year-old business and privacy lawyer, started talking about running for mayor's job over a year ago.

He started campaigning in May, promising to bring a more open and accessible style of leadership to Winnipeg city hall.

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In his victory speech, Bowmanthanked some heavy-hitters who endorsed him, includingWinnipeg Jets owner MarkChipman,former Winnipeg Blue Bomber and local businessmanObby Khan,former Manitoba premier Gary Filmon and his wife, Janice, and currentManitoba Liberal LeaderRana Bokhari.

Unlike some of his opponents, he promised to complete the city's bus rapid transit system by the year 2030, including the much-debated Phase 2 that would extend the existing rapid transit corridor to the University of Manitoba.

Earlier this week, a poll conducted byInsightrixResearch for Global News andCJOBput Bowman just two percentage points ahead of JudyWasylycia-Leis, who had been considered the front-runner throughout much of the mayoral race.

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"What it does demonstrate is there has been momentum building for us over the course of the campaign, and that's been unmistakable," he said on Monday, when the poll results were released.

Bowman lives in Winnipeg'sCharleswoodneighbourhood with his wife, Tracy, and their two young sons.