From Brian Adam to Terry Murdock, Former Mayors Achieve Very Different Results

From Brian Adam to Terry Murdock, Former Mayors Achieve Very Different Results

The most recent 2025 municipal election in Pontiac produced different outcomes for former Pontiac mayors who attempted a political comeback. CHIP 101.9 presents here the scenarios experienced by these former mayors, who either tried to return to the mayor’s office or sought positions as councilors.

Let’s start with the municipality bordering Ontario, L’Isle-aux-Allumettes, with former mayor Brian Adam, who returned to the political scene in the 2021 election as a councilor and had served as mayor from 2005 to 2009. He faced Jeremiah Nephin, and this was the only contested election in the municipality in 2025, as all other positions were filled by acclamation. While not an overwhelming majority, Mr. Adam (232 votes) was clearly able to secure victory over his opponent, with approximately 57% of the votes compared to 42% for Mr. Nephin (174 votes).

In Fort-Coulonge, the context was different, with Christine Francoeur—now also a political attaché to the federal MP for Pontiac-Kitigan Zibi—choosing to run for councilor rather than mayor. She faced incumbent councilor Dave Hérault, who appeared to enjoy strong support from residents. Mr. Hérault won decisively with 75% of the votes (501 votes), leaving Christine Francoeur defeated with 170 votes.

In Mansfield-et-Pontefract, the scenario was reversed for former mayor Gilles Dionne, who served from 2017 to 2021. Running for the second councilor position, Dionne faced Ghislaine Fortin. With 788 votes to 215, Gilles Dionne captured over 70% of the vote, compared to just over 21% for his opponent. It is interesting to note that Dionne’s popularity remained strong, despite minimal campaigning.

Another former mayor attempting a return to a councilor position was Serge Newberry in L’Île-du-Grand-Calumet. He ran against Brian Duval, who won with 248 votes to 97 for Newberry, who had served as mayor from 2017 to 2021. With approximately 71% to 28%, former mayor Newberry was unsuccessful in rejoining the L’Île-du-Grand-Calumet municipal council. Notably, this was one of three elections in the municipality, as the mayoral race was also contested with Jean-Louis Corriveau narrowly winning, along with councilor position 5, won by Marcelle Dumouchel.

Another former mayor, Terry Murdock of Thorne, who served from 2013 to 2017, finally succeeded in his comeback after failing in 2021. It should be noted that he benefited from a clear division of votes. With 120 votes—compared to 95 for Karen Kelly, who had defeated him in 2017 and 2021, and 95 for incumbent councilor Deborah Stafford—Mr. Murdock maintained his support base and gained 25 more votes than in 2021, securing the election.

Finally, another former mayor, Shamus Morris of Sheenboro, had initially attempted a comeback but withdrew before the election. Mr. Morris already held a councilor position prior to the 2025 election.