Cleveland secures second term with 4,524 votes as voters elect three new councillors and send a message to town hall
The election results were posted at Victoria Hall at 8:53 p.m. on Monday, October 26, 2026, confirming Lucas Cleveland had been re-elected as Mayor of Cobourg for a second term.
Cleveland defeated former Deputy Mayor Nicole Beatty and challenger Max LeMarchant to secure another four years leading the municipality.
The results also saw Councillor Adam Bureau elected Deputy Mayor, while Joel Scott, Mark Mills, Miriam Mutton, Brian Darling and Randy Curtis secured seats on council.
Former councillors Randy Barber and Aaron Burchat were unsuccessful in their bids to return to council.
Mayor’s race
- Lucas Cleveland — 4,524
- Nicole Beatty — 3,850
- Max LeMarchant — 1,432
Deputy Mayor’s race
- Adam Bureau — 4,726
- Johnny Percolides — 4,133
Councillors elected
- Joel Scott — 5,050
- Mark Mills — 4,646
- Miriam Mutton — 3,895
- Brian Darling — 3,560
- Randy Curtis — 3,410
Shortly after the results were announced, Cleveland arrived at Cobourg Legion Branch 133 with his family to a cheering crowd of supporters. Fleetwood Mac’s Don’t Stop played as the newly re-elected mayor entered to celebrate his victory.
Cleveland, who first won the mayor’s office four years ago, thanked his supporters and described the result as a humbling mandate from voters.
“We did it, guys,” he told the crowd. “Was there any doubt?”
Addressing supporters, Cleveland said his first term had been about more than simply managing the municipality.
“When we started this journey four years ago, Cobourg, we didn’t just set out to manage Cobourg. We set out to fight for it,” he said.
“We wanted to build a community where our foundation was rock solid, our streets were safe, and our future secure.”
Cleveland said he believed the municipality was now stronger, working towards greater public safety and in a better financial position than it had been four years earlier.
He pointed to securing more than $35 million in provincial and federal government grants, along with changes to the town’s budgeting process and the introduction of a citizen-led budget advisory committee.
Cleveland said those efforts had helped stabilize the municipal budget while allowing the town to invest in water and housing infrastructure.
However, he made it clear that financial accountability and transparency would remain central to his administration.
“For too long in Cobourg, deep financial problems have been kept behind closed doors,” Cleveland said.
He alleged that a lack of council oversight over more than two decades had allowed financial liabilities to accumulate without sufficient accountability.
Cleveland said his administration had uncovered what he described as a multimillion-dollar shortfall involving reserves and unfunded capital obligations inherited from previous years.
He also renewed his criticism of financial reporting involving the municipality’s police administration, saying he would continue to push for a public accounting of spending and support a rigorous financial audit.
The mayor said residents deserved to know how public money was being managed and pledged to continue challenging practices he believes have prevented adequate oversight.
“No more closed door meetings. Open and transparency is the way forward,” Cleveland said later in an interview.
Looking ahead, Cleveland said the next four years would focus on economic growth and implementing the changes he believes are necessary to secure Cobourg’s future.
He said the municipality needed to reduce its reliance on residential property taxes, which he argued placed too much of the financial burden on families and seniors living on fixed incomes.
Public safety would also remain a priority.
Cleveland said his administration would continue working to keep parks safe, address dangerous and illegal behaviour and ensure residents felt secure in their neighbourhoods.
“True compassion means extending a hand to those who genuinely want help while firmly holding illegal and dangerous behaviours to account,” he told supporters.
He also expressed enthusiasm about working with the incoming council, acknowledging that the first few months would involve a learning curve for new members.
“Let’s keep putting Cobourg first,” he said.
“Together, let’s finish the job we started and set this beautiful town up for decades of health, happiness, and prosperity.”
Cleveland closed his victory speech with a quotation attributed to leadership author Simon Sinek: “Leadership is not about being in charge. Leadership is about taking care of those in your charge.”
Cleveland intends to join Police Services Board
In an interview following his victory, Cleveland was asked whether joining the Cobourg Police Services Board would be a priority after previously identifying his absence from the board as one of his biggest regrets.
“As soon as I can get on the board, that’ll be definitely the one thing,” he said. “Last term, I gave up the position and I won’t be doing that this time.”
Asked what his plans were for the following day, Cleveland said he intended to have lunch, meet with the town’s chief administrative officer at town hall and continue his work as mayor.
Cleveland also pointed to voter participation as an important part of the election, saying turnout exceeded 50 per cent.
“Seeing the turnout over 50% shows that we had an invested electorate and we had people wanting to see a future for Cobourg,” he said.
He interpreted the result as a demand for change, particularly regarding concerns about the downtown core, municipal spending and accountability.
Asked whether he was surprised by the numbers, Cleveland said election night always held an element of uncertainty.
“That’s the beauty about the way our system works,” he said.
Cleveland also congratulated his opponents, saying anyone willing to put their name forward for public office deserved recognition.
“I want to say congratulations to all competitors,” he said. “Anyone who steps forward for public office is commendable.”
Nicole Beatty says she will continue serving the community
Nicole Beatty, who lost her bid to become mayor, congratulated Cleveland and thanked the volunteers, family members, friends and supporters who helped her campaign.
“Obviously not the outcome that we worked really hard for,” she said.
“It was a really hard campaign, but it was really rewarding and engaging to my family, volunteers, friends, and supporters. I couldn’t thank you enough.”
Beatty said she remained proud of the campaign and the connections she had made with residents.
“And guess what? I still live here and I look forward to how I can lead and serve Cobourg in my own unique way,” she said.
Asked about her longstanding roots in the community, Beatty said serving on council had been an extension of her broader involvement in Cobourg through volunteer work, organizations and boards.
“Council was an honour,” she said. “But now I have this new opportunity, a new avenue to look at more ambitious ways in which I can serve Cobourg and Northumberland.”
Adam Bureau promises to work towards unity
Adam Bureau, who moved from councillor to Deputy Mayor after defeating Percolides, thanked voters for their support and promised to give the position everything he had over the next four years.
“I will do my job. I will make sure that whatever I give for the next four years will be my 100%,” he said. “And I want to thank the people for electing me and I will not let them down.”
Bureau described the past four years as difficult and said he had felt under attack throughout his time on council.
He credited his supporters and family with helping him through the challenges and said he was proud of the number of people who participated in the election.
“I’m super proud that everybody came out and voted. That’s the most important thing because democracy tonight was at its best,” he said.
Bureau also called for an end to the divisions that have marked council discussions.
“I think what we need is to stop the division and move forward and bringing everybody together,” he said. “It’s not my way, it’s our way.”
Joel Scott looks ahead to financial questions
Joel Scott, elected to council for the first time, said he was feeling both excitement and relief but recognized the work ahead.
“It’s incredibly humbling,” he said, thanking Cobourg residents and acknowledging the support of his wife throughout the campaign.
Scott said he intended to take a short period to thank supporters and remove campaign signs before turning his attention to municipal business.
Asked what should be the first priority for the incoming council, Scott pointed to outstanding financial questions.
“I don’t think it’s good planning to start moving ahead with any financial decisions until we know where we are, where we stand,” he said.
He said council needed a clear understanding of the municipality’s financial position before establishing priorities and determining whether existing projects should be reconsidered.
Scott also praised municipal staff for their efforts to provide a clearer picture of the town’s finances.
“From what I’ve heard behind the scenes, staff have worked really, really hard to try and right the ship, so to speak, and get us a clear picture of where we’re at,” he said.
“And I think congratulations to all the staff.”
Piccini congratulates successful candidates
Northumberland-Peterborough South MPP David Piccini also attended the victory gathering at the Legion to congratulate Cleveland and recognize those who ran for office.
Piccini said he looked forward to working with newly elected mayors across Northumberland County on affordability, infrastructure and economic development.
“We’re working collaboratively, we’re working on critical infrastructure, roads, bridges, and making sure supporting business in our community and manufacturing sector,” he said.
Piccini said he and Cleveland had worked together on investments intended to support growth and housing in Cobourg.
He also identified public safety as an area of shared concern, saying residents deserved to feel safe in their communities.
As Cobourg prepares for a new council term, the election results have established the leadership team that will be responsible for addressing the municipality’s financial questions, economic future, infrastructure needs and public safety concerns.
For Cleveland, the victory gives him another four years to pursue the agenda he campaigned on. For the incoming council, the challenge will be turning those promises into decisions and results residents can see.
The new council’s term will begin with a mix of returning members and new voices, setting the stage for another four years of decisions that will shape Cobourg’s future.
Author: Pete Fisher
Has been a photojournalist for over 30-years and have been honoured to win numerous awards for photography and writing over the years. Best selling author for the book Highway of Heroes - True Patriot Love
