Elected mayor of Richmond on October 17, 2026, with 19,676 votes, 880 more than Alexa Loo. A Richmond councillor from 2001 to 2008 and the BC Liberal MLA for Richmond Centre from 2009 to 2013, he ran with Richmond Forward on a value-for-money review of City services, seniors housing, a ban on supervised injection sites and an arts and culture district on the City Centre waterfront.
Rob Howard was elected mayor of Richmond on October 17, 2026, with 19,676 votes in the City's official count, declared on October 21, 2026. Alexa Loo had 18,796 and Kash Heed 11,111. He ran with Richmond Forward, the elector organization formed around his campaign; none of its five council candidates was elected. Richmond News reported that he was a city councillor from 2001 to 2008 and won Richmond Centre for the BC Liberals in 2008, and Elections BC's Statement of Votes for May 12, 2009 gives him 10,483 votes in that district. The Province named him Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Transportation in 2012. In the statement he gave the City he promised an external value-for-money review of City services, attainable seniors' homes and an arts and culture district on the waterfront, and his S.H.A.P.E. platform promises a ban on supervised injection sites in Richmond.
Researched by voche.me · Not a campaign-authored page
Tracked since October 18, 2026. Every change of status links to the vote, motion or report behind it.
In the statement he gave the City he promised an external value-for-money review, a deep look at City services to keep taxes low now and in the future. His S.H.A.P.E. platform lists a value-for-dollar review under accountability.
“External value for money review; a deep look at city services to keep taxes low now, and into the future.”
No vote or decision on this promise yet.
Where the promise was made: City of Richmond · candidate profile, Rob Howard (his statement) (opens in a new tab), Rob Howard For Mayor · Vision, the S.H.A.P.E. platform (opens in a new tab).
His statement to the City names safety first: making citizens feel safe in parks and open spaces. On election night he told Richmond News that public safety would be his first priority in office.
No vote or decision on this promise yet.
Where the promise was made: City of Richmond · candidate profile, Rob Howard (his statement) (opens in a new tab), Richmond News · Richmond Votes: Rob Howard elected Richmond's new mayor, October 17, 2026 (opens in a new tab).
His statement to the City promises to build attainable seniors' homes, allowing residents to stay in the community they helped build. The platform's housing list promises to incentivize and fast-track seniors housing. No number of homes is given.
“Build attainable seniors' homes, allowing residents to stay in the community they helped build.”
No vote or decision on this promise yet.
Where the promise was made: City of Richmond · candidate profile, Rob Howard (his statement) (opens in a new tab), Rob Howard For Mayor · Vision, the S.H.A.P.E. platform (opens in a new tab).
His statement to the City promises to open the waterfront to an arts and culture district, and the platform's community participation list promises to build one at the City Centre waterfront.
No vote or decision on this promise yet.
Where the promise was made: City of Richmond · candidate profile, Rob Howard (his statement) (opens in a new tab), Rob Howard For Mayor · Vision, the S.H.A.P.E. platform (opens in a new tab).
His campaign site, under Putting People at the Centre, says he will establish transparent, structured community advisory panels to shape policy and major City initiatives.
“We will establish transparent, structured community advisory panels to shape policy and major city initiatives.”
No vote or decision on this promise yet.
Where the promise was made: Rob Howard For Mayor · home page (opens in a new tab).
The platform's accountability list promises to develop service targets and a public dashboard of key measurements for programs and services.
No vote or decision on this promise yet.
Where the promise was made: Rob Howard For Mayor · Vision, the S.H.A.P.E. platform (opens in a new tab).
The platform's accountability list promises to freeze City permit application fees. It gives no period for the freeze.
No vote or decision on this promise yet.
Where the promise was made: Rob Howard For Mayor · Vision, the S.H.A.P.E. platform (opens in a new tab).
The platform's housing list promises to reduce costly permit wait times. It sets no target time. Daily Hive reported the promise on election night.
No vote or decision on this promise yet.
Where the promise was made: Rob Howard For Mayor · Vision, the S.H.A.P.E. platform (opens in a new tab), Daily Hive · Richmond elects a new mayor for the first time in a quarter-century, October 18, 2026 (opens in a new tab).
The platform's housing list promises to innovate to make housing more affordable. It names no program.
No vote or decision on this promise yet.
Where the promise was made: Rob Howard For Mayor · Vision, the S.H.A.P.E. platform (opens in a new tab).
The platform's housing list promises to develop more options for seniors' services. It names no service.
No vote or decision on this promise yet.
Where the promise was made: Rob Howard For Mayor · Vision, the S.H.A.P.E. platform (opens in a new tab), Daily Hive · Richmond elects a new mayor for the first time in a quarter-century, October 18, 2026 (opens in a new tab).
The platform's safer streets list promises to ban supervised injection sites in Richmond. Daily Hive reported the promise on election night.
No vote or decision on this promise yet.
Where the promise was made: Rob Howard For Mayor · Vision, the S.H.A.P.E. platform (opens in a new tab), Daily Hive · Richmond elects a new mayor for the first time in a quarter-century, October 18, 2026 (opens in a new tab).
The platform's safer streets list promises a "See Something? Say Something!" awareness campaign encouraging residents to call the Richmond RCMP non-emergency line.
No vote or decision on this promise yet.
Where the promise was made: Rob Howard For Mayor · Vision, the S.H.A.P.E. platform (opens in a new tab).
The platform's safer streets list promises to enhance the Block Watch program.
No vote or decision on this promise yet.
Where the promise was made: Rob Howard For Mayor · Vision, the S.H.A.P.E. platform (opens in a new tab), Daily Hive · Richmond elects a new mayor for the first time in a quarter-century, October 18, 2026 (opens in a new tab).
The platform's safer streets list promises to bolster the RCMP's anti-drug D.A.R.E. program.
No vote or decision on this promise yet.
Where the promise was made: Rob Howard For Mayor · Vision, the S.H.A.P.E. platform (opens in a new tab), Daily Hive · Richmond elects a new mayor for the first time in a quarter-century, October 18, 2026 (opens in a new tab).
The platform's safer streets list promises a safety audit 800 metres around schools.
No vote or decision on this promise yet.
Where the promise was made: Rob Howard For Mayor · Vision, the S.H.A.P.E. platform (opens in a new tab).
The platform's safety pillar says the team is dedicated to improving traffic flow and strengthening community policing. It names no road or program.
No vote or decision on this promise yet.
Where the promise was made: Rob Howard For Mayor · Vision, the S.H.A.P.E. platform (opens in a new tab).
The platform's community participation list promises to expand recreational, arts and culture programs for youth and seniors, and its engaging pillar promises better access to City programs for seniors and families.
No vote or decision on this promise yet.
Where the promise was made: Rob Howard For Mayor · Vision, the S.H.A.P.E. platform (opens in a new tab).
The platform's community participation list promises to enhance culturally appropriate volunteer programs.
No vote or decision on this promise yet.
Where the promise was made: Rob Howard For Mayor · Vision, the S.H.A.P.E. platform (opens in a new tab).
The platform's community participation list promises to work with tourism and cultural groups to enhance cultural and entertainment activities.
No vote or decision on this promise yet.
Where the promise was made: Rob Howard For Mayor · Vision, the S.H.A.P.E. platform (opens in a new tab).
The platform's economy list promises to set an economic development target with key dashboard measurements, report out annually, and develop an annual economic development report.
No vote or decision on this promise yet.
Where the promise was made: Rob Howard For Mayor · Vision, the S.H.A.P.E. platform (opens in a new tab).
The platform's economy list promises to engage businesses, government and the community to develop a vision for a Trade and Exhibition Centre for Richmond.
No vote or decision on this promise yet.
Where the promise was made: Rob Howard For Mayor · Vision, the S.H.A.P.E. platform (opens in a new tab).
The platform's economy list promises to incentivize or redevelop current commercial and industrial lands to maximize their economic potential.
No vote or decision on this promise yet.
Where the promise was made: Rob Howard For Mayor · Vision, the S.H.A.P.E. platform (opens in a new tab).
The platform's economy list promises to incentivize tourism, recreational and heritage development at key community waterfronts.
No vote or decision on this promise yet.
Where the promise was made: Rob Howard For Mayor · Vision, the S.H.A.P.E. platform (opens in a new tab).
The platform's prosperity pillar says the team will do everything the City can to protect private property rights. It names no step.
No vote or decision on this promise yet.
Where the promise was made: Rob Howard For Mayor · Vision, the S.H.A.P.E. platform (opens in a new tab).
Rob Howard was elected mayor of Richmond on October 17, 2026. The City's official count gives him 19,676 votes, Alexa Loo 18,796, Kash Heed 11,111 and Dickens Cheung fourth. Richmond News reported that this was 34.5 per cent of the vote, that 57,771 people voted, and that he had endorsements from outgoing mayor Malcolm Brodie and former mayor Greg Halsey-Brandt. The City's declaration of election by voting prints Richmond Forward as his elector organization, and Elections BC's register names him its authorized principal official. The five Richmond Forward council candidates finished nineteenth to twenty-third. On election night he told Richmond News that the defeat of his team was "bittersweet" and that public safety, the issue he heard about most while door-knocking, would be his first priority.
Richmond News reported in March 2026 that he was a city councillor from 2001 to 2008, then won the Richmond Centre seat for the BC Liberals in 2008 and served one term. The City's own minutes of December 12, 2005 list Councillor Rob Howard present and record him as the one member opposed to the Tree Protection Bylaw and its $96,000 of funds. Elections BC's Statement of Votes for the general election of May 12, 2009 gives him 10,483 votes in Richmond Centre, 61.51 per cent of the valid votes. A news release from the Office of the Premier in 2012 says he chaired the Select Standing Committee on Finance and Government Services and named him Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Transportation. Richmond News reported in 2012 that he would not run again, for personal reasons.
By his own account, on his campaign site and in the statement he gave the City, he was born and raised in Richmond, spent 19 years in the finance sector with Richmond Savings Credit Union, and has spent more than 25 years as a self-employed business owner building seniors' homes. His site says he chaired Council's Finance and Public Transportation committees and was president of Tourism Richmond and co-chair of the Richmond Christmas Fund. voche.me has not checked these with the City, Tourism Richmond or the Christmas Fund.
Richmond News reported on March 9, 2026 that he would announce his run for mayor the following week, in the first open race for the office in 25 years, and on June 2, 2026 that he had announced four council candidates for his Richmond Forward slate. His platform, called S.H.A.P.E. for Safety, Housing, Accountability, Prosperity and Engaging, is on his campaign site, and Daily Hive summarised it on election night: shorter permit waits, seniors housing, a stronger Block Watch and D.A.R.E. program, and a ban on supervised injection sites.
Summarized from the campaign’s published profile. These are stated positions, not an assessment of results or a complete platform.
In the statement he gave the City he promised an external value-for-money review, a deep look at City services to keep taxes low now and in the future. His platform's accountability list adds service targets, a public dashboard of key measurements, and a freeze on City permit application fees.
City of Richmond · candidate profile, Rob HowardHis statement to the City promises to make people feel safe in parks and open spaces. The platform's safer streets list promises to ban supervised injection sites in Richmond, run a "See Something? Say Something!" campaign for the RCMP non-emergency line, strengthen Block Watch and the RCMP's D.A.R.E. program, and audit safety within 800 metres of schools.
On election night he told Richmond News that public safety was the issue he heard about most and would be his first priority in office.
His statement to the City promises to build attainable seniors' homes so residents can stay in the community. The platform's housing list promises to reduce permit wait times, incentivize and fast-track seniors housing, and develop more options for seniors' services. No number of homes or target time is given.
City of Richmond · candidate profile, Rob HowardHis statement to the City and his platform both promise an arts and culture district at the City Centre waterfront, with more recreation, arts and culture programs for youth and seniors.
Rob Howard For Mayor · Vision, the S.H.A.P.E. platformThe platform promises an economic development target with dashboard measurements reported each year, a vision for a Trade and Exhibition Centre worked out with businesses, government and the community, and incentives to redevelop commercial, industrial and waterfront lands.
Rob Howard For Mayor · Vision, the S.H.A.P.E. platformHis campaign site says he will establish transparent, structured community advisory panels to shape policy and major City initiatives.
Rob Howard For Mayor · home page, Meet Rob HowardResearched on 2026-10-30 through the seven search steps listed below: the City's candidate profile, results and declarations, every page of his campaign site that concerns the 2026 campaign (home, Vision and Team), his VoteMate page, Richmond News reports of March 9, June 2, October 17 and October 19, 2026 and of 2012, Daily Hive's report of October 18, 2026, the headline of CTV News's report of October 18, 2026, a news release of the Office of the Premier from 2012, Elections BC's Statement of Votes for 2009, and the City's council minutes of December 12, 2005.
His campaign's account of his years at Richmond Savings Credit Union, his seniors housing business, his committee chairs on Council, and his roles with Tourism Richmond and the Richmond Christmas Fund are the campaign's own and were not checked with those bodies. His Facebook, Instagram and X accounts showed a login page or no posts to scripts, so no post was read. CTV News's report of October 9, 2026 on the mayoral candidates and the supervised consumption site loads only its headline for scripts, so nothing from it is used. No questionnaire with his own answers was found: his VoteMate page carries only the statement he gave the City.
Richmond News reported that he was a city councillor from 2001 to 2008. The City's minutes of December 12, 2005 list him present as Councillor Rob Howard and record his vote against the Tree Protection Bylaw.
Richmond News · Candidates coming forward for fall Richmond city election, by Maria Rantanen, March 9, 2026Elections BC's Statement of Votes for May 12, 2009 gives him 10,483 votes, 61.51 per cent, in Richmond Centre. Richmond News reported in 2012 that he would not run in the next election, and in 2026 that he served one term.
Elections BC · Statement of Votes, 39th Provincial General Election, May 12, 2009 (Richmond Centre)A news release from the Office of the Premier in 2012 announced the appointment and says he chaired the committee and sat on the Cabinet Committee on Jobs and Economic Growth.
Office of the Premier · Premier Christy Clark announces changes to Executive Council and parliamentary secretaries, news release, 2012Proposed questions for a future interview. They have not been sent to the candidate, and no answers have been supplied.
No questions and answers have been supplied.
Ask Rob Howard directly. We send it to the campaign, and publish the reply here if we get one.
Facts voche.me can state about Rob Howard's page itself, answered directly rather than left blank.
Rob Howard was elected Mayor with 19,676 votes, 1st of 7 in the official count. The City of Richmond published the count, and every candidate's total is on the results page.
No. This page is researched by voche.me from public sources, listed below, and is separate from Rob Howard's own campaign.
Rob Howard ran for Mayor with Richmond Forward.
Not according to this profile. voche.me has not listed a current public office for Rob Howard.
This profile lists 19 sourced references, each with the date voche.me checked it, in the Sources section below.
The "Questions & answers" section on this page lists questions voche.me would put to Rob Howard in a future interview. They have not been sent yet, so the page says plainly that no answer has been supplied instead of leaving the section blank.
The 2026 Richmond municipal election, including the Mayor race, was decided on October 17, 2026.
Announcements, event details and messages can be added here, with their source and publication date. No campaign submission has been added.
Missing information does not imply a candidate’s position. Read our editorial standards.
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