In the end, Waterloo Regoin's voters decided to stick with what they know.
Ken Seiling was re-elected Monday night to another term as regional chair -- his sixth term since the position became directly elected, and 10th term in total.
“I’ve always had faith in the people in this region. I think that people in this region expect a certain style of politics,” Seiling said.
With 213 of 266 polls reporting, Seiling had 58.4 per cent of the vote, beating his closest and most prominent competitor -- business owner Jay Aissa -- by a significant margin.
“The people have spoken, and I respect that. That’s the beauty about democracy,” Aissa said, speaking to CTV News.
Aissa, who had ran on a platform of opposition to the Ion light rail transit system and concern about the region's debt levels, had 23.8 per cent of the vote at the same point.
“At the end of the day, I congratulate Ken Seiling for his win and life goes on,” Aissa added.
Incumbents Jane Mitchell and Sean Strickland were re-elected in Waterloo, while in Cambridge -- where neither incumbent wanted to return to office -- Helen Jowett and city councillor Karl Kiefer will take seats around the horseshoe.
In Kitchener, incumbents Tom Galloway and Geoff Lorentz are joined by former Kitchener Centre MP Karen Redman and former Kitchener Centre MPP Wayne Wettlaufer.
With Woolwich Mayor Todd Cowan defeated, the results mean the majority of regional councillors, nine out of 16, will be new to that body.
For full results from across Waterloo Region, including council positions, click here.
