Nanaimo Mayor Leonard Krog has announced he will seek another term in the fall municipal election, saying he wants to continue the work of stabilizing city governance and advancing local priorities developed during his two terms in office.
Focus on governance and continuity
Krog, first elected mayor in 2018, told reporters his initial campaign promise was to restore stable, accountable governance after a period when council conduct drew frequent headlines. He said that returning the city to a steadier course — and keeping Nanaimo out of provincial, national and international headlines — remains the achievement he is most proud of.
“I campaigned on the basis that I would bring back good governance to the city, that we’d restore our reputation, that we’d keep Nanaimo out of the headlines — both provincial, national and, indeed, on occasion, international,”
While Krog conceded the current council is not without disagreement, he said it is substantially improved from the fractious periods preceding his tenure. He did not in the announcement outline a detailed second-term platform in the material released by media outlets, but framed his decision as a bid to maintain the progress made on governance and civic reputation.
Regional context: another Island mayor also running
On Vancouver Island, Colwood Mayor Doug Kobayashi has likewise declared he will seek another term. Kobayashi, elected mayor in 2022 after one term as a councillor, cited health, family support and a desire to continue serving as reasons for his bid.
- Kobayashi’s signature initiative has been a city-leased clinic opened in January 2025 that employs physicians as municipal staff but bills the provincial Ministry of Health for services.
- The clinic has recruited four doctors with a fifth likely to start by year-end, and has provided care to about 2,000 residents who previously lacked a family doctor.
- Kobayashi has said he wants to expand the clinic up to eight doctors and pursue recreational projects including a community hall and the Quarry Park expansion at Royal Bay.
What this means for Nanaimo voters
Krog’s decision to run again sets the stage for a municipal campaign framed around governance, continuity and local service delivery. For voters in Nanaimo, the mayoral contest will prompt scrutiny of council dynamics, housing and development pressures, infrastructure and how well the city has translated improved governance into tangible outcomes.
| Mayor | First elected as mayor | Seeking re-election | Notable recent initiatives (as reported) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Leonard Krog (Nanaimo) | 2018 | Yes | Restoring stable governance and city reputation |
| Doug Kobayashi (Colwood) | 2022 | Yes | City-leased clinic opened Jan 2025; recruited 4 doctors, ~2,000 residents served |
Council races and mayoral contests across Vancouver Island will be closely watched this fall, as residents assess whether incumbents have delivered on promises and can manage the practical challenges facing their communities. For Nanaimo, the spotlight will be on how the administration continues to strengthen governance while addressing local needs.
