Fred Francis
Fred Francis | |
|---|---|
 Francis in 2026 | |
35th Mayor of Windsor | |
| Assumed office November 15, 2026 | |
| Preceded by | Drew Dilkens |
| Personal details | |
| Born | November 22, 1980 Windsor, Ontario, Canada |
| Party | Independent |
Fred Francis (born 22 November 1980) is a Canadian politician from Windsor, Ontario. He served three terms on the Windsor City Council (2014–2026) before being elected mayor in the 2026 municipal election. His brother Eddie previously served as mayor.
Biography
Early life
Francis was born in Windsor, Ontario, on November 22, 1980, the third son of Lebanese immigrants Farid and Arlette Francis. He grew up in South Windsor, where he completed his elementary studies at Notre Dame Catholic Elementary School and his secondary studies at Holy Names Catholic High School. He attended the University of Western Ontario in London, Ontario, graduating in 2003 with a combined major in history and political science. He received a master of arts degree in history from the University of Windsor in 2006 and a bachelor of education degree in 2009.
In 2014, Francis was elected to represent Ward 1 on the Windsor City Council. He was re-elected in 2018 and 2022, and also served as the executive director of the Multicultural Council of Windsor and Essex County. Early in his second term, Francis was diagnosed with Hodgkin lymphoma, and as a result balanced council duties with chemotherapy; to minimize the impact of fatigue on his work, he scheduled his chemotherapy sessions for Fridays, allowing the weekends to be periods of rest. After his diagnosis, he worked with the Windsor Cancer Centre Foundation as an ambassador for cancer awareness. In 2023, Francis was declared cancer-free.
Mayorality
Francis contested the mayorality of Windsor in the city's 2026 election. His platform, which he characterized as a "new direction", included ending the use of strong mayor powers, rejuvenating the city centre, improving transit and community safety, and promoting affordability. Francis won the election, unseating twelve-year incumbent Drew Dilkens, with 28,204 votes to Dilkens's 20,021. Francis is scheduled to take office on November 15, 2026, after a transitionary period that he described as "jam-packed".
Political positions
Francis described himself in 2026 as having "never been part of a political party", and leaning centre-right on fiscal matters and centre-left on social ones. Francis has spoken against strong mayor powers, deeming them to sideline city councillors; he described Dilkens's use of such powers to overrule city council and discontinue bus service between Windsor and Detroit, Michigan, as "a sad day for democracy". According to Trevor Wilhelm of The Windsor Star, Francis had a conservative track record as city councillor; Wilhelm describes his hiring of Brian Masse—a former member of parliament from the New Democratic Party—as campaign manager as a potentially "unlikely alliance".
Personal life
Francis married Carolyn in 2021. His elder brother Eddie served as mayor of Windsor from 2003 until 2014.
Electoral results
2014 Windsor municipal election results, Ward 1
| Candidate | Total votes | % of total votes |
|---|---|---|
| Fred Francis | 2,953 | 36.57 |
| Ryan Mancini | 2,370 | 29.35 |
| Matt Ford | 1,112 | 13.77 |
| Denis Clair Ghanam | 775 | 9.58 |
| Daniel Ableser | 397 | 4.92 |
| Gurbax Bhullar | 396 | 4.90 |
| David Hanna | 74 | 0.92 |
2018 Windsor municipal election results, Ward 1
| Candidate | Total votes | % of total votes |
|---|---|---|
| Fred Francis | 3,507 | 52.92 |
| Darcie Renaud | 2,167 | 32.70 |
| Matt Ford | 428 | 6.46 |
| Wiquar Husain | 277 | 4.18 |
| Krysta Glovasky-Ridsdale | 248 | 3.74 |
2022 Windsor municipal election results, Ward 1
| Candidate | Total votes | % of total votes |
|---|---|---|
| Fred Francis | 3,481 | 55.70 |
| Darcie Renaud | 2,769 | 44.30 |
2026 Windsor municipal election results, Mayor of Windsor
| Candidate | Total votes | % of total votes |
|---|---|---|
| Fred Francis | 28,204 | 47.64 |
| Drew Dilkens | 20,021 | 33.82 |
| Kat Pasquatch | 7,253 | 12.25 |
| Tara Grayer | 878 | 1.48 |
| Nick Kolasky | 640 | 1.08 |
| Patrick Sutherland | 592 | 1.00 |
| Benjamin Danyluk | 538 | 0.91 |
| Aaron Day | 420 | 0.71 |
| Dylon Graves | 304 | 0.51 |
| Tristan Ty Morencie | 182 | 0.31 |
| Louis Vaupotic | 169 | 0.29 |
References
Works cited
- "2026 Windsor Election – Mayor". City of Windsor. 2026. Archived from the original on November 14, 2026. Retrieved November 14, 2026.
- Campbell, Chris (November 6, 2026). "Francis Preparing to Take Over as Windsor Mayor as Transition with Dilkens Gets Underway". CTV News. Archived from the original on November 14, 2026. Retrieved November 14, 2026.
- Campbell, Taylor (September 30, 2023). "Windsor Councillor Fred Francis Declares Victory over Cancer 'Demons'". The Windsor Star. Retrieved November 14, 2026.
- "Councillor Fred Francis". City of Windsor. Archived from the original on November 14, 2026. Retrieved November 14, 2026.
- Ensing, Chris (February 21, 2025). "'A Sad Day for Democracy,' Councillor Says as Effort to Override Tunnel Bus Veto Fails". CBC. Archived from the original on November 14, 2026. Retrieved November 14, 2026.
- "Fred Francis Staying Positive after 12 Chemo Sessions Completed". CBC. June 17, 2019. Archived from the original on November 14, 2026. Retrieved November 14, 2026.
- "Mayor Eddie Francis Leaves Mark on 2014 Municipal Campaign". CBC. October 27, 2014. Archived from the original on November 14, 2026. Retrieved November 14, 2026.
- Kitching, Heather (October 27, 2026). "Fred Francis to Lead a new Windsor Council Comprised Equally of Veterans and New Faces". CBC. Archived from the original on November 14, 2026. Retrieved November 14, 2026.
- "Official Results, City of Windsor October 27, 2014, Municipal Election" (PDF). City of Windsor. 2014. Archived from the original (PDF) on March 7, 2024. Retrieved November 14, 2026.
- "Official Results, City of Windsor October 22, 2018, Municipal Election" (PDF). City of Windsor. 2018. Archived from the original (PDF) on May 22, 2023. Retrieved November 14, 2026.
- "Official Results, City of Windsor October 24, 2022, Municipal Election" (PDF). City of Windsor. 2022. Archived from the original (PDF) on November 14, 2026. Retrieved November 14, 2026.
- Veneza, Ricardo (October 26, 2026). "Windsorites Choose Change in Electing Fred Francis as New Mayor". AM 800 CKLW. Archived from the original on November 14, 2026. Retrieved November 14, 2026.
- Wilhelm, Trevor (August 9, 2026). "Political Odd Couple? Fred Francis Appoints Brian Masse as His Mayoral Campaign Manager". The Windsor Star. Archived from the original on November 14, 2026. Retrieved November 14, 2026.