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LIVE: Abbotsford municipal election reaction

Check back for the latest reaction as results come in from this evening’s municipal election
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RESULTS WILL BE POSTED LIVE, AS THEY COME IN, HERE

FINAL UPDATE: Keep an eye on abbynews.com for full stories on the city hall and school board elections, which will be posted shortly.

9: 30 p.m.: The final results are in: Back in as mayor is Henry Braun, leading with nearly 57 per cent of the vote.

The only non-incumbent councillor is former mayor Bruce Banman, replacing Moe Gill, who ran for mayor.

Similarly, the only non-incumbent school trustee is Korky Neufeld, replacing Cindy Schafer, who decided against another run.

This year’s election saw a nearly 36 per cent voter turnout this time around.

9:05 p.m.: With just five tabulators left to count, it’s looking like an effectively no-change school board. All six incumbents that are running are among the top-seven, and the seventh is Korky Neufeld (at the top of the race), a trustee until last term when he dropped out to try his hand at federal politics.

9:00 p.m. We just spoke very briefly to Coun. Moe Gill, who said he is no longer watching the results come in. He said he hasn’t spoken to Mayor Henry Braun yet.

8:49 p.m. Just talked to Abbotsford Mayor Henry Braun, who is leading local polls with 57%, to 19% for Eric Nyvall. Moe Gill is at 17%. Braun says he is “pleasantly surprised” and that the 50% threshold had been a goal.

8:47 p.m.: Raj Patara managed to break into the ranks of potential candidates briefly, with incumbent Rhonda Pauls dropping out. But that quick rise from Patara has since abated, with 17 tabulators now counted. Candidates range from 8.5 per cent to 6.5 per cent of total vote at this point.

8:45 p.m.: The school trustee polls saw little change as the first tabulators came in tonight, with only Korky Neufeld (currently at the top) and Jared White breaking into the top seven among incumbents.

8:41 p.m. Braun continues to do well, and with one-third of results in, has collected 55% of the mayoral vote. Gill has 21%, while Nyvall has 17%. The results suggest Nyvall and Gill are likely splitting the votes of those seeking change.

8:38 p.m. We also chatted with Trevor Eros, who is running for mayor and hadn’t been involved in politics before this year. He is joined by his family here, and joked that he will feel good if more than one person votes for him. He did note that he hoped to not finish sixth among the six mayoral candidates. Eros is fourth so far, well back from Braun, Gill and Nyvall, but solidly ahead of Gerda Peachey and Nadine Snow.

8:35 p.m.: We spoke to Josh Reynolds, the youngest council candidate, before results began coming in. He said he felt good about the campaign, and that “win or lose, we made it clear that young people in our city want a change.” Reynolds is currently 11th.

8:30 p.m.: Four polls are now in, and Braun now has collected 53% of votes. Notably, we don’t know where these polls were conducted. But they are good news for the incumbent mayor.

Six of the eight incumbents are also in place to retain their seats. But with former mayor Bruce Banman leading the way, and new AbbotsfordFirst candidate Dave Sidhu now in eighth, Sandy Blue is currently on the outside looking in.

8:25 p.m.: Ahead of the results coming in, trustees here say they’re either feeling anxious, relieved to have the campaign over with or some mix of both.

Currently, little change on school board, but there are many votes yet to be counted. Currently, Korky Neufeld and Jared White (Abbotsford ParentsFIRST) are among the top seven.

8:20 p.m. The MCA goes quiet as the first results come in. They show Braun with a healthy lead, with 50% of the mayor vote. Banman leads the council count. AbbotsfordFirst’s councillors are holding on to their vote.

8:19 p.m. Still waiting? Reporters Tyler Olsen and Dustin Godfrey chatted about what to watch for on Facebook:

8:15 p.m. Mayor Henry Braun says he is “at peace,” and waiting to see the results. He said he’s been buoyed by personal interactions and feels good about tonight.

7:30 p.m.: The polls are still open, but dozens have already congregated at Matsqui Centennial Auditorium, connected to city hall, where results will be announced live. Mayor Henry Braun and several incumbent councillors are here. Others are expected to filter in over the next half hour.