‘The luckiest man on the face of the earth’: Ritsma reflects on defeat
By: Amanda Nelson
In a tough finish, Martin Ritsma lost the mayoral race to Robert Ritz, finishing third behind Jo-Dee Burbach in Monday night’s municipal election.
Ritsma held a small gathering at the family farm Monday evening for campaign volunteers, family and friends. Through tears, he thanked everyone involved in the 2026 campaign, as well as all the candidates who put their names forward.
“I’ve been blessed to serve the city of Stratford for 16 years,” he said. “Three terms as councillor, two of which were deputy mayors, selected by your own peers, which is a real tip of the cap.”
Ritz won the mayoral race with 4,246 votes, or 31.1 per cent. Burbach finished second with 3,738 votes, while Ritsma received 2,899 votes. Voter turnout was 47.5 per cent.
“I want to also thank those who allowed their names to stand for this election. I believe there were 26 councillors and five mayoral candidates. This reminds me that democracy in Stratford is strong and vibrant. I believe over 45 per cent of our residents voted, which is unheard of across this country. I want to congratulate all the successful candidates.”
Ritsma congratulated Ritz on his victory and said he planned to call him later that evening to offer his congratulations personally.
“And my congratulations to Robert Ritz for his success here tonight,” Ritsma said.
Thanking the women in his life, Ritsma reflected on the support of his mother and wife, Kathryn, throughout his life and public service.
“I cannot stand before you tonight without saying I’m here because of my mom’s strength. Lou Gehrig was known as the Iron Man, playing 2,130 consecutive games of baseball. That’s a hard thing to think about, but I think about my mom as an Iron Woman, raising 11 children in poverty.
“I’m the luckiest man on the face of this earth because of another Iron Woman too. That’s my bride, Kathryn. I wouldn’t be standing in front of you here tonight without her support, her love and belief in me for 50-plus years.”
Reflecting on the campaign, Ritsma thanked his mayoral opponents and referenced former U.S. first lady Michelle Obama’s well-known words about taking the high road.
“I want to thank those individuals who ran for mayor as well. It was a spicy campaign, but I went back today and thought about when I ran in the last election,” he said. “Sometimes I would go in the shed and listen to Michelle Obama’s speech over and over again. You know, ‘When they go low, we go high.’ And that’s been my mantra all along, whether it’s in education or in this role.”
Looking ahead, Ritsma said he hoped council would continue to build on the work completed during his time in office. He emphasized the importance of maintaining a positive outlook and ensuring all residents feel valued, regardless of their circumstances.
“Everybody is important in this city. Everybody, whether you’re housed, whether you’re unhoused, whatever your social or economic status,” he said.
Ritsma also referenced Lou Gehrig’s famous farewell speech, delivered at Yankee Stadium on July 4, 1939, after the baseball player was diagnosed with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS), commonly known as Lou Gehrig’s disease.
Gehrig died on June 2, 1941, nearly two years after the speech. His words about considering himself the luckiest man on earth, despite facing a terminal illness, resonated with Ritsma as he reflected on his own election loss.
“You know, I do really consider myself the luckiest man on the face of the earth. But I’ll say this: Lou Gehrig ended that speech, and he said, ‘I might have been given a bad break, but I’ve got a lot to live for.’
“And I’m thinking, if Lou Gehrig can carry that mantra, knowing that he had ALS and he passed in about 18 months, if he had the courage to say that in front of 61,000 people, I can say it in front of you tonight. It’s a bad break, but there will be other opportunities.”
Ritsma said he would continue serving the city until the transition to the new mayor is complete. He added that he remained committed to helping residents during his final weeks in office.
“I don’t know what the next couple of weeks will bring for me as I turn over the office, but I will continue to be there. I’m in the office between 5:30 and 6 in the morning, and I will continue to serve people until I make that successful transition of office over to the next mayor. So thank you, thank you, thank you.”
During his four years as mayor, Ritsma focused on housing, homelessness, infrastructure and the long-term future of the Grand Trunk site. The city advanced plans for the redevelopment of the former railway property, invested in road and underground infrastructure and supported housing initiatives, including supportive housing for residents with high needs. Ritsma also championed the establishment of a warming centre for people experiencing homelessness during dangerously cold weather.
Ritsma said he hoped the next council would carry forward the work accomplished by the current council.
“I hope that the work by council will be respectfully brought forward into the next.”
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