Alex Lawson supporters toast a campaign that made waves

Mayoral candidate Alex Lawson speaks to his supporters at the Sky Lounge on Monday. Photo by Jean Levac /Jean Levac

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Alex Lawson, the political newcomer who made waves with big ideas and a problem-solving platform, promised to be a thorn in City Hall’s side for the next four years.

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“We didn’t get it this time,” the mayoral hopeful said, without a trace of disappointment, to a bar full of supporters on election night after learning how many Ottawa residents had voted for him.

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“There were 25,000 people that listened, that stood behind me, that voted for what they actually wanted,” he added, hinting that the spark that propelled him into the race had only gotten stronger.

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“I’m not going to be the mayor of Ottawa in 2026. But I’m not going to sit down either. We are going to work towards a better Ottawa over the next four years.”

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After taking time to recharge and reconnect with his family, one of Lawson’s first moves will be to present his 142-page platform to Mayor Mark Sutcliffe.

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“I’m not walking away from this,” Lawson said. “I’m going to give it to him, and I’m going to say, ‘Do you actually care about this city? Let’s work on this together.’”

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Mayoral candidate Alex Lawson speaks to his supporters at the Sky Lounge on Monday. Photo by Jean Levac /Jean Levac

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Ten months ago, the 38-year-old father of three daughters, who runs a residential framing business, threw his hat in the ring to become mayor of Ottawa.

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“It’s hard to predict the outcome of something like this,” Lawson said on election night, striding onto the stage to the triumphant sound of Eminem. “We ran up against the incumbent. To be honest, looking back, what was I thinking?”

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The crowd laughed then cheered as he reflected on his track record during the campaign. “I ended up in a dozen debates … and you know what, I think I held my own pretty well in those debates.”

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For many voters, Lawson was the political discovery of the municipal campaign, a newcomer who seemed to come out of nowhere, bringing a refreshing perspective and direct approach to solve some of the city’s most serious problems.

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Had he been elected mayor, the Dunrobin-based business owner and family man was promising everything from a ring road and tax freeze to an incinerator and elimination of parking fines.

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The crowd was quiet at the Sky Lounge where mayoral candidate Alex Lawson’s supporters were watching the polling results Monday. Photo by Jean Levac /Postmedia

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Lawson ran a remarkably effective grassroots social-media campaign, marked by walk-and-talk videos that seemed to speak directly to residents, explaining his ideas in simple language. Starting from a zero public profile, he became one of the top-four mayoral contenders, included in every major debate and survey of the issues.

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One supporter at his election-night party, a 28-year-old communications professional, said she admired his straightforward approach.

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“I felt like he didn’t have someone else speaking for him,” she said. “It’s really just him putting himself out there with his ideas and not having 50 people micromanaging.”

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The election-night party took place at the Sky Lounge in the ByWard Market, attracting several dozen volunteers, supporters and fans, unfazed that their favourite candidate failed to take home the prize.

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A female admirer who volunteered on Lawson’s campaign was convinced he could run whatever he wanted.