(Image credit: CFJC Today/File photo).

By Aaron Schulze

Kamloops Election 2022

Kamloops Councillor Denis Walsh announces he won’t seek re-election in 2022

Aug 31, 2022 | 10:20 AM

KAMLOOPS — The ninth and final member of Kamloops’ current council announced his intentions ahead of the 2022 municipal election.

During Tuesday’s (Aug. 30) meeting, Councillor Denis Walsh announced he would not be seeking re-election ahead of the Oct. 15 vote. Walsh says his reasons for not running for Kamloops council again are personal and political.

‘This past term has been challenging,” Walsh said during Tuesday’s council meeting. “The role of councillor, to me, should not turn into a political career. It’s more of a community service position. After two or three terms, I think a person should either move to another level of public service, or it’s time to step aside. Although I’ve been known as an outlier on many issues, it’s been a wonderful opportunity and great honour to sit at this council table.”

In total, Walsh spent 11 years on Kamloops council. He was first elected in 2008 but didn’t seek re-election in 2011. However, Walsh successful ran for council in 2014 and was re-elected in 2018.

SOUND OFF

SOUND OFF: Removing bathroom doors at Barriere Secondary increases safety concerns

Apr 02, 2026

Looped In

LOOPED IN WITH NIKKI OMEN: April 2, 2026

Apr 02, 2026

SOUND OFF

SOUND OFF: Kamloops deserves the full story

Apr 01, 2026

Walsh is the third member of Kamloops council to not seek re-election in 2022, after Mayor Ken Christian and Councillor Kathy Sinclair announced they wouldn’t run again.

Walsh’s decision means Kamloops council will have at least five new members with current councillors Dieter Dudy, Sadie Hunter, and Arjun Singh taking a crack at the mayor’s seat. Only three incumbent councillors – Dale Bass, Mike O’Reilly, and Bill Sarai – will seek re-election for their respective seats.

Residents can track which candidates have publicly expressed their intentions to run for mayor and council, and have formally submitted their nomination package, on CFJC Today’s municipal election 2022 section.

Kamloops residents can vote at one of 16 polling stations on election day on Oct. 15, or in advance on Oct. 5, 8, or 12 at either Heritage House in Riverside Park of the Sports Centre Lounge at McArthur Island Sport and Event Centre. The City says mail-in ballots will also be available upon request if residents are unable to attend voting dates.