Eunice Friesen and her husband Doug at their election headquarters outside of the Bear Creek Funeral Home (Photo: Shane Clausing / EverythingGP staff).

By Shane Clausing

Mayoral Race

Friesen thankful for support throughout election campaign

Oct 19, 2021 | 6:33 AM

Eunice Friesen says she is grateful for the support she received throughout her campaign, following a narrow unofficial defeat to Jackie Clayton in the Grande Prairie mayoral race.

The 2021 Municipal Election came down to the wire on Monday night, with Clayton edging out Friesen, hwo both served on city council last term, 4,270 votes to 4,135.

“I think the closeness of the results just shows that there were two remarkably good candidates to choose between,” Friesen told EverythingGP, following the results.

“We’re very different candidates and very different people and it just came down to a handful of votes. I congratulate her (Clayton).”

Friesen says she is thankful for the support of the community throughout the campaign.

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“I’m so humbled by the voter turnout,” she said. “I’m so pleased that Grande Prairie got out to vote in such a great way, and very humbled that I was able to get that close in votes to an incumbent,” she said.

“That’s a pretty remarkable thing and from the bottom of my heart I thank the residents of Grande Prairie for having such confidence in me.”

Friesen spent one term on council before deciding to take a run at the Mayor’s seat.

She says over her time spent on council, she feels she was able to be a leader, adding she had the confidence to lead Grande Prairie.

“The last several months, in particular, as I decided I would make a very good mayor, I really became confident in my leadership skills and what I bring to the table and my initiatives that I had proposed.”

Friesen adds she’s hopeful council will be able to take a look at some of those initiatives and move forward with them.

As results were tabulated Monday, there were five new candidates who earned a spot as councillor.

ELECTION RESULTS INSIDE: Clayton unofficially claims narrow victory over Friesen in Grande Prairie mayoral race

Friesen says the biggest piece of advice she could give to new council members is to be open to new ideas and be willing to listen.

“Really get to know each other and respect each other’s points of view. We really had a good functioning team last term and I hope they get to experience that this term.”