First-time mayoral candidate Keith Hobbs wins

Keith Hobbs won the sign war and he won where it counts – at the polls.

Hobbs, a retired police officer who ran on a platform of crime and fiscal responsibility, defeated two-time incumbent Mayor Lynn Peterson by a landslide margin on Monday night, the start of a new era in Thunder Bay politics, the 58-year-old said.

“It’s very surreal right now, but the elation in this room is just unbelievable, and I’m sure it’s out there in Thunder Bay,” said Hobbs prior to making a victory speech before a packed house at the Da Vinci Centre.

“As I knocked on doors I heard a lot of people wanting change. They wanted a different style of leadership and they voted for me tonight for that change. And I just can’t thank the citizens enough.”

With all 42 polls reporting, Hobbs earned a 6,057 vote win over incumbent Mayor Lynn Peterson, 17,517 to 11,460. That gave Hobbs 46.04 of the popular vote. Peterson took 30.12 per cent.

Third-time contender and two-time councillor Frank Pullia was far back in third, with 6,424 votes. Jeff Irwin, with a surprising 2,317 votes, Colin Burridge and Brian Kwasny rounded out the pack with 192 and 133 votes respectively.

Hobbs said his hat is off to Peterson, who served as mayor from 2003 to 2010.

“She’s put 17 years of her life into this city. And I’m not taking anything away from her. It was a hard-fought battle for seven months for me, and even before that. All I can say is I feel for her. She has put her lifeblood into this city and I wish her nothing but the best for the future.”

Peterson was caught up in a call for change at the top, and was likely hurt by Horizon Wind's decision to file a $126 million lawsuit last week against the city, after council only approved 14 of 18 turbine locations for the southern Ontario company's planned wind farm on the Nor'Wester Mountain range.

"The community has said they want change in leadership. They've decided the type and style of leadership they want for the next four years and certainly that will be what we have," Peterson said in conceding defeat."

Peterson said she'll still be involved in some shape or form at the local level, although she's not sure of her exact plans.

"I think we have extraordinary opportunities ahead of me. I have lots to give. I spent seven years working hard for this community and I'm very proud of what we achieved and certainly hope that that is going to be built on more."

Pullia, who was convinced he was the front-runner, said it's a disappointment because he thought he had presented a plan that could effectively move Thunder Bay forward economically.

"Obviously people were looking for something different and I have to give credit to (Keith Hobbs) who was able to tap into that momentum of change," Pullia said, adding he may have joined the race a little too late. "He was able to ride the wave of discontent."

Coun. Rebecca Johnson, re-elected for the second time, said it will take some getting used to a new municipal leader, but she's looking forward to working with Hobbs.

"There's no doubt there will be some change at that level," she said. "For Lynn it's sad in a way, because it's always hard to lose. But the community made the decision and we'll move forward."

About 38,327 voters cast ballots in the election, representing 46.5 per cent of the electorate. That's eight full percentage points above the 2006 turnout, when Peterson won in a walk-off, taking 84.9 per cent of the vote.