Ryan Painter, a View Royal resident and mental health advocate, has announced his candidacy for mayor of View Royal, becoming the first person to formally enter the race for the upcoming municipal election on October 17, 2026. Painter previously served as Chair of the Greater Victoria Board of Education from 2021 to 2022 and was first elected as a school trustee in 2018.
The mayoral seat became open after incumbent Mayor Sid Tobias announced in October 2025 that he would not seek re-election. Mayor Tobias, who was elected in 2022 after defeating former mayor David Screech, cited personal reasons for his decision to step down at the end of his term.
Painter brings over two decades of political experience to his campaign, having worked in municipal, provincial, and federal roles. He serves as the Chair of the BC Association for Charitable Gaming and works with organizations on grant applications through Charityworks. He is also a principal at Rhino Public Relations and Strategy, a communications and public relations firm.
The upcoming municipal election will be notable for the future of the town’s governance, as the Town of View Royal is expanding its council from four to six councillor positions. This change ensures that even if all current incumbents are re-elected, at least two new members will join the council, marking a significant period of transition for the municipality.
