---
title: "Rob Howard: elected mayor, Richmond 2026 | voche.me"
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last_updated: "2026-10-31T17:02:47.521Z"
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description: "Elected Mayor in the Richmond 2026 election with 19,676 votes, 1st of 7 (official count). Rob Howard was elected mayor of Richmond on October 17, 2026, wit..."
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"og:title": "Rob Howard: elected mayor, Richmond 2026"
"twitter:description": "Elected Mayor in the Richmond 2026 election with 19,676 votes, 1st of 7 (official count). Rob Howard was elected mayor of Richmond on October 17, 2026, wit..."
"twitter:title": "Rob Howard: elected mayor, Richmond 2026"
---
Mayor · Richmond 2026
# Rob Howard
- Elected, Mayor19,676 votes, 1st of 7. Official count, City of Richmond. [All results](https://voche.me/bc/richmond-2026/results#mayor)
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.
Explore priorities Campaign links
Researched by voche.me · Not a campaign-authored page
Richmond Forward2026
*Rob HowardMayorv.*
[Image: Rob Howard For Mayor](https://robhowardformayor.ca/)
Promise tracker
## 24 promises. What Rob has done since.
Tracked since October 18, 2026. Every change of status links to the vote, motion or report behind it.
- No action yet**Order an external value-for-money review of City services**Taxes and spending · Own promise
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).No action yet**Make people feel safe in Richmond's parks and open spaces**Public safety · Own promise
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).No action yet**Build attainable seniors' homes so residents can stay in Richmond**Housing · Own promise
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).No action yet**Build an arts and culture district on the City Centre waterfront**Arts and culture · Own promise
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).No action yet**Set up community advisory panels to shape policy and major City projects**City services · Own promise
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).No action yet**Set service targets and publish a dashboard of key measurements**City services · Party platform
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).No action yet**Freeze City permit application fees**Taxes and spending · Party platform
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).No action yet**Reduce permit wait times**Housing · Party platform
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).No action yet**Find new ways to make housing more affordable**Housing · Party platform
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).No action yet**Develop more options for seniors' services**City services · Party platform
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).No action yet**Ban supervised injection sites in Richmond**Public safety · Party platform
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).No action yet**Run a See Something, Say Something campaign for the RCMP non-emergency line**Public safety · Party platform
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).No action yet**Strengthen the Block Watch program**Public safety · Party platform
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).No action yet**Strengthen the RCMP's D.A.R.E. anti-drug program**Public safety · Party platform
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).No action yet**Audit safety within 800 metres of every school**Public safety · Party platform
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).No action yet**Improve traffic flow and strengthen community policing**Transportation · Party platform
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).No action yet**Expand recreation, arts and culture programs for youth and seniors**Parks and recreation · Party platform
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).No action yet**Improve culturally appropriate volunteer programs**City services · Party platform
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).No action yet**Work with tourism and cultural groups on cultural and entertainment events**Arts and culture · Party platform
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).No action yet**Set an economic development target and report on it every year**Business · Party platform
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).No action yet**Develop a vision for a Trade and Exhibition Centre**Business · Party platform
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).No action yet**Incentivize or redevelop commercial and industrial lands**Business · Party platform
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).No action yet**Incentivize tourism, recreation and heritage development at community waterfronts**Business · Party platform
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).No action yet**Protect private property rights**Housing · Party platform
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).
Read the full position
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.
[Rob Howard For Mayor · Vision, the S.H.A.P.E. platform ](https://robhowardformayor.ca/vision/)
03
### Attainable seniors' homes and shorter permit waits
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 Howard ](https://richmond.ca/electionservices/candidates/CandidateProfile.aspx?ID=54)
04
### An arts and culture district on the City Centre waterfront
His 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. platform ](https://robhowardformayor.ca/vision/)
05
### Economic development targets and a Trade and Exhibition Centre
The 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. platform ](https://robhowardformayor.ca/vision/)
06
### Community advisory panels
His 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 Howard ](https://robhowardformayor.ca/)
[Rob Howard For Mayor, the S.H.A.P.E. platform](https://robhowardformayor.ca/vision/)
Research status
## What voche.me has checked
Researched 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.
03 / Background
## Experience & community
2001 to 2008
### Councillor, City of Richmond
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, 2026](https://www.richmond-news.com/local-news/candidates-coming-forward-for-fall-richmond-city-election-11970567)
2009 to 2013
### MLA for Richmond Centre (BC Liberal)
Elections 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)](https://votebymail.elections.bc.ca/docs/rpt/2009GE/2009-GE-SOV.pdf)
2012 to 2013
### Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Transportation, and chair of the Select Standing Committee on Finance and Government Services
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, 2012](https://news.gov.bc.ca/releases/2012PREM0029-000359)
04 / Questions & answers
## Questions for the candidate
Proposed 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.
### Have your own question?
Ask Rob Howard directly. We send it to the campaign, and publish the reply here if we get one.
05 / About this page
## Questions about this page
Facts voche.me can state about Rob Howard's page itself, answered directly rather than left blank.
How did Rob Howard do in the 2026 Richmond municipal election?
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.
Is this an official page for Rob Howard?
No. This page is researched by voche.me from public sources, listed below, and is separate from Rob Howard's own campaign.
What party did Rob Howard run with?
Rob Howard ran for Mayor with Richmond Forward.
Does Rob Howard currently hold public office?
Not according to this profile. voche.me has not listed a current public office for Rob Howard.
How many sources does this Rob Howard profile cite?
This profile lists 19 sourced references, each with the date voche.me checked it, in the Sources section below.
Why do some questions on Rob Howard's page show no answer?
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.
When was the election Rob Howard ran in?
The 2026 Richmond municipal election, including the Mayor race, was decided on October 17, 2026.
06 / Candidate contributions
## Space for campaign updates
### No campaign updates yet
Announcements, event details and messages can be added here, with their source and publication date. No campaign submission has been added.
## Sources & transparency
- [City of Richmond · Declaration of Official Election Results, October 21, 2026 ](https://www.richmond.ca/__shared/assets/2026_declaration_of_official_result79945.pdf)Checked October 30, 2026
- [City of Richmond · Election Results, 2026 General Local Election ](https://richmond.ca/electionservices/electionresults/Results.aspx)Checked October 30, 2026
- [City of Richmond · Declaration of Election by Voting, September 21, 2026 ](https://www.richmond.ca/__shared/assets/Declaration_of_Election_by_Voting_-_September_21__202679778.pdf)Checked October 30, 2026
- [City of Richmond · 2026 Candidate List ](https://www.richmond.ca/city-hall/elections/candidateslist.htm)Checked October 30, 2026
- [City of Richmond · candidate profile, Rob Howard ](https://richmond.ca/electionservices/candidates/CandidateProfile.aspx?ID=54)Checked October 30, 2026
- [Rob Howard For Mayor · home page, Meet Rob Howard ](https://robhowardformayor.ca/)Checked October 30, 2026
- [Rob Howard For Mayor · Vision, the S.H.A.P.E. platform ](https://robhowardformayor.ca/vision/)Checked October 30, 2026
- [Rob Howard For Mayor · Team, with the launch release of May 26, 2026 ](https://robhowardformayor.ca/team/)Checked October 30, 2026
- [VoteMate · Rob Howard, Richmond Forward for Richmond Mayor, 2026 BC Local Elections ](https://www.votemate.org/c/13279?riding=797)Checked October 30, 2026
- [Richmond News · Candidates coming forward for fall Richmond city election, by Maria Rantanen, March 9, 2026 ](https://www.richmond-news.com/local-news/candidates-coming-forward-for-fall-richmond-city-election-11970567)Checked October 30, 2026
- [Richmond News · Slates announced for Richmond fall election, June 2, 2026 ](https://www.richmond-news.com/2026-civic-election/slates-announced-for-richmond-bc-2026-municipal-election-12364717)Checked October 30, 2026
- [Richmond News · Richmond Votes: Rob Howard elected Richmond's new mayor, by Maria Rantanen, October 17, 2026 ](https://www.richmond-news.com/2026-civic-election/richmond-votes-rob-howard-elected-richmonds-new-mayor-12906711)Checked October 30, 2026
- [Richmond News · Richmond Votes: Municipal election turnout rises by 15K in 2026, October 19, 2026 ](https://www.richmond-news.com/2026-civic-election/richmond-bc-votes-municipal-election-turnout-rises-by-15k-in-2026-12911501)Checked October 30, 2026
- [Daily Hive · Richmond elects a new mayor for the first time in a quarter-century, October 18, 2026 ](https://dailyhive.com/vancouver/richmond-elects-new-mayor-2026-rob-howard)Checked October 30, 2026
- [CTV News · Rob Howard narrowly wins Richmond mayoral race, by James Paracy, October 18, 2026 (headline and photo caption only; the article body does not load for scripts) ](https://www.ctvnews.ca/vancouver/article/rob-howard-narrowly-wins-richmond-mayoral-race/)Checked October 30, 2026
- [Richmond News · Richmond's Howard not running in next election; MLA cites 'personal reasons', 2012 ](https://www.richmond-news.com/local-news/richmonds-howard-not-running-in-next-election-mla-cites-personal-reasons-2945838)Checked October 30, 2026
- [Office of the Premier · Premier Christy Clark announces changes to Executive Council and parliamentary secretaries, news release, 2012 ](https://news.gov.bc.ca/releases/2012PREM0029-000359)Checked October 30, 2026
- [Elections BC · Statement of Votes, 39th Provincial General Election, May 12, 2009 (Richmond Centre) ](https://votebymail.elections.bc.ca/docs/rpt/2009GE/2009-GE-SOV.pdf)Checked October 30, 2026
- [Council minutes, special meeting of December 12, 2005, Richmond City Council ](https://citycouncil.richmond.ca/agendas/archives/council/2005/121205_minutes.htm)Checked October 30, 2026
Missing information does not imply a candidate’s position. [Read our editorial standards.](https://voche.me/bc/richmond-2026/about)
Campaign contact
## Campaign links & contact.
Find the candidate’s website, social accounts and contact information.
[Rob Howard For Mayor, campaign site](https://robhowardformayor.ca/)
## View more candidates.
[All candidate spaces ](https://voche.me/bc/richmond-2026/candidates)
[School Trustee**Alice Wong**](https://voche.me/bc/richmond-2026/candidates/alice-wong) [Councillor**Andy Hobbs**](https://voche.me/bc/richmond-2026/candidates/andy-hobbs)
Candidate Q&A
## Ask Rob Howard a question.
Give your name, email and question. We send it to the campaign, and publish their answer here if we get one.
## Sitemap
See the full [sitemap](/bc/richmond-2026/sitemap.md) for all pages.