Three sitting councillors seeking mayor’s chair in Oshawa

Major changes are coming to Oshawa Council this fall, with current mayor Dan Carter stepping into retirement and three sitting councillors angling for his seat.

Regional Councillor Tito-Dante Marimpietri announced his intentions to be the city’s next mayor months ago and is the early front-runner, with his official launch held on the weekend at the Oshawa Italian Club on Simcoe Street.

City councillors Jim Lee and Derek Giberson also announced they will run, with Giberson’s launch party scheduled for Wednesday at the Victoria Street pedestrian plaza downtown.

Tito-Dante Marimpietri and his wife Rose

Community and union leaders, residents, former Oshawa Generals’ greats and Carter himself showed up for Marimpietri’s  launch, with Dr. Gary Polonsky – the man responsible for bringing a university to Oshawa – bringing his endorsement for the long-time councillor.

Marimpietri, who has served the city since 2003 (except for a four-year blip from 2014-2018) said he was grateful for the show of support from the public at his launch.

“This campaign has never been about politics. It’s about restoring Oshawa, unlocking our city’s full potential, and building a future worthy of the families who call this community home,” he said.

Jim Lee

Lee, a retired Toronto firefighter who was first elected in to Oshawa Council in 2022, announced his intention to run last month.

Giberson, a former Back Door Mission board president who organizes a Christmas concert in support of the charity every year, won his first seat serving downtown residents in 2018 and is expected to unveil his platform at tomorrow’s campaign launch.

Derek Giberson