After weeks of being the only candidate running for West Kelowna’s mayor, a challenger has stepped forward to run against current mayor Gord Milsom.

Milsom announced in March that he would be seeking a second term as mayor.

He served on the community’s first council after the Westside District Municipality was incorporated in 2007. He was re-elected in 2008 and 2011, serving another six years as a councillor.

Eventually he put his name forward for the position of mayor and won the 2018 election with nearly 80% of total votes cast. 

Photo Credit: City of West Kelowna

On the day of the deadline to submit nomination papers, Andrew Kwaczynski declared he would be seeking election as West Kelowna’s next mayor.

Kwaczynski, a resident of Peachland, is familiar with municipal politics.

He ran in the 2018 election and was seeking a spot on Peachland’s council. He received 277 votes which put him last in the race.

Residents of West Kelowna looking to learn about the two candidates for mayor, two people running for school trustee and the 13 people seeking a spot on council can attend an all candidates forum in early October.

The Greater Westside Board of Trade is hosting the event at the Lions Hall on Sunday, Oct. 2 from 1 pm to 3 pm.

People who are interested in asking questions can do so by emailing them to executivedirector@gwboardoftrade.com.