Mike O'Reilly with supporters after mayoral announcement (image credit - CFJC Today)

By Michael Reeve

KAMLOOPS VOTES 2026

‘Three years ago, our city lost pride in the mayor’s office’; O’Reilly announces his run for mayor of Kamloops

Oct 2, 2025 | 4:26 PM

KAMLOOPS — Just over one year out from election day, the mayor’s race in Kamloops is beginning to take shape. Incumbent mayor Reid Hamer-Jackson has previously stated his intention to seek re-election and now he has his first opponent. Two-term councillor Mike O’Reilly has announced his intention to run for the mayor’s seat in the October 17, 2026 election.

“I look forward to putting Kamloops first as the next mayor of Kamloops,” said O’Reilly, standing on the steps of City Hall in Kamloops, surrounded by family and supporters.

Out of the gates early and the race for the mayor’s chair is officially underway in Kamloops as O’Reilly has thrown his hat into the ring after two terms on council.

“Three years ago, our city lost pride in the mayor’s office. Three years ago, our residents started missing out on business investment due to political unrest,” said O’Reilly. “Three years ago, we lost our reputation as a reputable provincial and federal partner, and partner with local non-profits.”

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“What they have said is… ‘Kamloops is broken.’ I don’t believe that,” said former mayor Ken Christian as he introduced O’Reilly on Thursday (Oct. 2). “I believe Kamloops is glitching, and when your laptop glitches, what do you do? You reboot.”

O’Reilly has a pair of former Kamloops mayors in his corner, earning the endorsement of both Christian and Terry Lake.

“I think Kamloops desperately needs leadership. They need someone that can bring a team together and rebuild Kamloops,” said Christian. “Too often, I’m reading about things that are happening in Prince George, Nanaimo, Kelowna that excludes Kamloops and that wasn’t the case, and we need to get back.”

“Mike learned the ropes as a rookie councillor. He understands how city hall works, and how it works across the province and working with levels of government,” added Lake. “He is a consensus builder, he’s a team player, but he’s also a leader and we have been sorely missing that for the last three years.”

While he still plans to fully flesh out a platform through consultation with the public, O’Reilly outlined four main planks he will be running on.

“Addressing the relentless street disorder and homelessness that has taken over riverbanks, streets and parks. Increasing efficiency of our transportation network and neighbourhood connectivity. Continued investment in recreation facilities and hosting the world through sport. And providing sustainable taxes through economic growth,” listed O’Reilly.

O’Reilly is the first person to officially announce their intentions of challenging Mayor Reid Hamer-Jackson in next October’s election.

“The time for bickering is over and the time for games is past,” said O’Reilly. “The chaos must end and the chaos will end when I am elected mayor on October 17, 2026.”