Bonny Graham is the new councillor for the District of Hope.
"I'm so thankful for all the support. That's the truth of it all," Graham said. "I'm excited and appreciative. I look forward to the opportunity. And I can't wait to sit on the council and see what happens. And to see how it unfolds in the next year and a half, because it's a short term.
"The community can expect me to always listen. To consider their concerns and bring weight to (their concerns) when I sit at the table. I will try to be as transparent and open as a I can be with people. And to have an open source of communication. That's important. Because I'm going to sit in this position and be someone who's going to represent this town."
Graham, who ran for council during the 2023 byelection, had been spending the night of the byelection (April 26) at her home, surrounded by family, friends, and supporters, when she got the news that she'd won with a total of 382 votes.
She will join councillors Dusty Smith, Pauline Newbigging, Angela Skoglund, Scott Medlock, Heather Stewin, and Mayor Victor Smith.
Polls for the District of Hope byelection were open from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. in Hope, in addition to two advance polling stations, on April 16 and April 23, and an option for a mail-in ballot.
Graham ran against candidates Magnus DuBeau, Michael Bowcott, and Nate Brown. There were 805 votes cast with Brown earning 171 votes, Bowcott earning 144 votes, and DuBeau earning 108 votes.
Interestingly, Graham earned 238 votes during the advanced polls and 144 votes on election day.
There are more than 5,500 eligible voters in the District of Hope. In the 2023 byelection a total of 708 ballots were cast. Graham lost to Coun. Smith by eight votes; Smith earned 261 votes and Graham earned 253.
Graham, a Stó:lō and Snunéymuxw artist, said she ran in the election because she wants to be part of the decisions that will form the direction of Hope's future. Her works can be seen at UFV, the Stó:lō Resource Centre, BC Parks, Chilliwack Primary Care and hospitals, and recently with the Hope Fire Department; she designed the fire department's challenge coin for its 25th anniversary.
She is also an award-winning graphic artist and designer who develops, and shares her artistic designs, through educational programs and products.
"I want people to know that I don't take it lightly, that I got all this support from the community," Graham said. "And that people put me in that seat and wanted to see me in that seat. And I want to sit in that chair. And I want to see how it all works.
"I know with the community plan being readjusted in the next few years, there will be decisions being made that are hard decisions. And I want people to know that I will do everything I can to make sure that their voices are heard."
These results are the preliminary results from Branden Morgan, chief election officer for the 2025 Hope byelection. According to Morgan, "a determination of the official results, which involves reviewing ballots accounts to ensure accuracy, will take place on April 29 at 10:00 a.m."
For more updates and coverage, make sure to look in the upcoming print edition of the Hope Standard.
