Jeromy Farkas Announces Second Run for Calgary Mayor in 2025

Jeromy Farkas, a former Calgary city councillor, has officially thrown his hat into the ring for the 2025 municipal election, announcing his second bid to become the mayor of Calgary. Farkas, who previously ran for the position in 2021 and secured 29% of the total votes, placing second to current Mayor Jyoti Gondek, launched his campaign early Wednesday morning through his website. In an interview with Global News, Farkas emphasized that his campaign is not about the past but about shaping Calgary’s future over the next decade.

A Vision for Calgary’s Next 10 Years

Farkas has framed his campaign around a vision for the next 10 years, a period he believes will be critical in determining Calgary’s success or failure for generations to come. He stated, “I want to give Calgarians something to vote for, not against.” His platform focuses on addressing the city’s most pressing challenges, including unprecedented population growth, housing shortages, job creation, and improving public safety. Farkas also highlighted the importance of rebuilding trust in city leadership, which he believes has eroded in recent years.

A Platform of Social and Fiscal Responsibility

Farkas’s campaign is centered on a socially and fiscally responsible agenda. He aims to develop a comprehensive plan for Calgary’s growth, prioritize housing construction to address affordability, and create jobs to strengthen the local economy. Additionally, he has pledged to improve safety and restore trust in the city’s government. Farkas believes that his approach will ensure Calgary remains one of the best places to live, work, and raise a family.

Critique of City Council and Political Parties

During his interview, Farkas criticized the current state of Calgary’s city council, describing it as “stuck” and prone to “picking petty fights.” He argued that this dysfunction has contributed to a lack of trust in the municipal government. Farkas also expressed his opposition to political parties at the municipal level, stating that they would only “increase dysfunction.” He emphasized that Calgarians deserve elected officials who work in their best interests, rather than being beholden to the narrow agendas of political parties.

Reflections on Past Leadership and Personal Growth

Farkas served as the councillor for Ward 11 from 2017 to 2021, during which he was known for his contrarian approach. He frequently clashed with his colleagues, notably voting against the original arena deal and advocating for spending cuts and pay freezes. His tenure was not without controversy; he was once removed from a council meeting for refusing to apologize for a social media post that violated the council’s code of conduct. Despite these challenges, Farkas reflected on his time in office with pride, stating, “I always stood up for financial responsibility, and I always supported public safety, and I helped make Calgary one of the best places on earth to be able to live in.”

A New Chapter in Leadership

Since his last mayoral bid, Farkas has focused on personal and professional growth. In 2021, he embarked on a 4,270-kilometre journey along the Pacific Crest Trail, raising over $200,000 for Big Brothers Big Sisters Calgary and Area. He later became the CEO of the Glenbow Ranch Park Foundation, where he advocated for the protection of the park from a provincial flood mitigation project. Farkas says these experiences have taught him valuable lessons about leadership, including the importance of owning mistakes, focusing on solutions rather than conflicts, and building strong teams. With these insights, Farkas is now determined to bring a fresh perspective to city hall and lead Calgary into a brighter future.

The 2025 municipal election, scheduled for October 20, will see Farkas competing against several high-profile candidates, including incumbent Mayor Jyoti Gondek, former councillor Jeff Davison, and ex-police commission chair Brian Thiessen. As the race heats up, Farkas’s vision for Calgary’s next decade will undoubtedly be a key topic of discussion among voters.