Surrey mayoral race leans Locke as challengers split despite majority wanting change
Brenda Locke leads with 33 percent in a new poll as 53 percent of Surrey voters say they want a new mayor — but change-seekers are scattered across five rivals.
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Brenda Locke holds a commanding lead in Surrey's mayoral race even as 53 percent of residents say they want a new mayor, a dynamic driven by fracturing support among challengers, according to a new poll.
Canada Pulse Insights surveyed 483 Surrey adults from September 28 to October 9 (margin of error ±4.5 percentage points) for CityNews and OMNI TV. Among decided voters, Locke commanded 33 percent, while Doug McCallum (Safe Surrey Coalition) and Linda Annis (Surrey First) each held 16 percent. Mike Starchuk (Imagine Surrey) drew 12 percent, Troy Van-Vliet (SURREY NOW) 10 percent, and Honveer Singh Randhawa (Conservative Electors Association) 8 percent. Ten percent remained undecided.
Yet 47 percent said she deserves re-election — meaning substantial support coexists with desire for change.
"What we're seeing is really the effect of not having a sole standard bearer who can challenge her," John Wright, CEO of Canada Pulse Insights, told the outlet. "It's a very fragmented field, so if you're earning a 40-odd-per-cent approval rating, that's good enough, especially if you're going to be getting in the upper 30s or mid 30s, to take the day. The fragmented field means that she comes up the middle and actually has a better chance of winning on Saturday than any of the other candidates."
HighOnCity reported in October that Surrey voters would choose one mayor, eight city councillors, and six school trustees on October 17.
Which voter bloc — age, ward, or issue priority — is most likely to consolidate behind a single challenger in a runoff scenario?
Have McCallum or Annis made late moves to consolidate change-seeking voters since this poll ended on October 9?
We'll update this story as answers emerge.
The facts
Who leads in Surrey's mayoral race?
Brenda Locke leads with 33 percent support among decided voters in a poll of 483 Surrey adults conducted from September 28 to October 9, 2026.
What percentage of Surrey voters want a new mayor?
53 percent of Surrey residents say they want a new mayor, according to the poll.
How is the opposition split?
The five challengers to Brenda Locke each draw significantly less support: Doug McCallum holds 16 percent, Linda Annis holds 16 percent, Mike Starchuk holds 12 percent, Troy Van-Vliet holds 10 percent, and Honveer Singh Randhawa holds 8 percent.
When is Surrey's municipal election?
Surrey voters will choose one mayor, eight city councillors, and six school trustees on October 17, 2026.
