Delta Election 2026: Former heir apparent to challenge incumbent mayor

It's election day in Delta as voters head to the polls to choose who will lead them for the next four years. The incoming mayor and council will need to be prepared for how to navigate a replacement for the George Massey Tunnel, pictured in this photo behind current councillor Dylan Kruger, who is also running for mayor this year. Photo by Jason Payne /PNG

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It’s election day in Delta as voters head to the polls to choose who will lead them for the next four years.

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For everything you need to know about how and when to vote in Delta’s municipal election, click HERE.

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If you’re still undecided on who to vote for, check out our preview story about the major issues and priorities within Delta.

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Then follow along our live-blog HERE throughout the day and night for the latest election day news from across the Metro Vancouver region, and check back here where we’ll keep this post updated all night with Delta election results and reaction.

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The race for Delta mayor has been largely about the bitter split between two-term Mayor George Harvie and councillor Dylan Kruger.

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Kruger had once been seen as Harvie’s heir apparent, but in 2024 Kruger led a faction of four councillors from within Harvie’s Achieving For Delta party that voted to strip Harvie of his role on Metro Vancouver’s board, where he had been chair.

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Harvie responded by kicking the four councillors out of the party.

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Both are running for mayor this year, as the heads of two parties: Harvie with Achieving For Delta, Kruger with One Delta.

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A third party, Delta First, also entered the fray, with Melissa Granum running for mayor, decrying the “dysfunction at the council table” caused by Harvie and Kruger’s split.

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Harvie spoke to the friction with Kruger, adding that he “changed his mind” after Kruger “started doing his own electioneering, setting things up. I wasn’t involved, pushed off to the sidelines. That’s when I decided this isn’t the guy I would endorse for mayor.”

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Harvie then decided to run for a third term as mayor.

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There are several big issues in Delta that the incoming mayor and council will have to deal with, including the type and pace of development, the replacement tunnel or bridge for the Massey Tunnel, and negotiating with the federal and provincial governments over the Pacific Link oil pipeline that will pass through Delta.

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For more on the civic elections in Metro Vancouver, follow our coverage of the following municipalities:

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