Chris Martin defeats longtime Wellesley Mayor Joe Nowak in decisive election victory
By Galen Simmons
After 12 years under the leadership of Mayor Joe Nowak, Wellesley Township residents have voted for a change, electing local businessman and community volunteer Chris Martin as their new mayor.
Martin defeated Nowak in the Oct. 26 municipal election, receiving 1,532 votes to Nowak's 916, capturing nearly 63 per cent of the vote and winning by a margin of 616 votes, according to the township's unofficial election results.
Speaking the morning after his victory, Martin, 56, said the reality of becoming Wellesley's next mayor was still sinking in.
“Honestly, I'm honoured and humbled. I really am. The people in my township chose me to represent them,” Martin said. “I consider it a privilege ... that the people in (my) community would ask (me) to be their representative and head of council.”
Despite defeating the three-term incumbent, Martin had nothing but praise for Nowak, whom he described as a longtime friend and mentor.
Nowak was first elected to township council in 2000 and served six years as a councillor before returning as mayor in 2014.
Martin said the two rarely disagreed on policy during the campaign, suggesting his victory reflected a desire among voters for new leadership rather than dissatisfaction with Nowak's record.
“I think people after 12 years were just ready for a change,” Martin said. “I think there was some built-in momentum on just wanting something different, and that is in no slight to Joe.”
A Wellesley resident since 1997, Martin owns Ready Pine, a Waterloo-based manufacturing business, and has extensive experience volunteering with local organizations. He chaired the Something 4 Everyone capital campaign, which raised $4.3 million for the Wellesley Township Recreation Centre, and was named the township's Citizen of the Year in 2022.
This will be his first elected political position.
Martin said his immediate priority will be learning the responsibilities of his new role and working with council through the upcoming municipal budget process.
“You know, I don't have council experience, so that will be a challenge for me,” he said, adding he is grateful for the experience returning councillors will bring to the table.
While Martin campaigned on bringing fresh perspectives to township leadership, he said major new initiatives will likely wait until 2027.
He also praised the township's current financial position, crediting Nowak and the outgoing council for leaving Wellesley on solid footing.
“I’m blessed with the work that Joe had done in the past,” Martin said. “There's always challenges out there, there's always opportunities to do things better, but from a very high level, our township is in good shape financially.”
All four township councillors were acclaimed: Shelley Wagner in Ward 1, Chris Van Bargen in Ward 2, Derek Brick in Ward 3 and Claude Hergott in Ward 4.
Looking ahead, Martin said he is particularly excited to lead Wellesley as the township celebrates its 175th anniversary in 2027.
“It's a clear, decisive win, and so that speaks to what people are wanting,” he said. “We've got a lot to celebrate.”
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