Mayor Joe Preston announced he will not run for another term in the upcoming municipal election in St. Thomas, Ontario. The announcement was first shared during the “Mayor’s Update” webcast on February 10, 2026, and later confirmed by the City of St. Thomas. This decision means residents will choose a new leader to guide the community later this year.
Joe Preston, who is 70 years old, has served as mayor since 2018 and previously spent 11 years as a Member of Parliament. His retirement this fall will mark the end of a career in public office spanning two decades. The municipal election is set to take place on October 26, 2026.
During his time as mayor, the city secured a 7-billion-dollar investment from Volkswagen PowerCo to build a massive electric vehicle battery factory. This project is expected to create thousands of local jobs and will be a major priority for the next council. The new mayor will manage the city as this plant begins its operations in the coming years.
Before leaving office, Preston said he hopes the city can reach zero on its homelessness by-name list, which is a tool used to track and support people needing housing. He plans to focus on this goal and other local building projects over his final months in the position. This focus on housing and growth has been a central part of his work for the community.
