Kamloops Coun. Mike O’Reilly Launches Mayoral Bid With Backing of Former Mayors

The 2026 mayoral race in Kamloops is off to an early start.

On Friday, Coun. Mike O’Reilly declared his candidacy, positioning himself as a steady alternative to incumbent Mayor Reid Hamer-Jackson, whose turbulent term has been marked by feuds with staff, lawsuits, and clashes with fellow councillors.

“Three years ago, chaos was unleashed at city hall. I will not accept the status quo as acceptable,” O’Reilly told supporters outside city hall. He pledged to focus on tackling street disorder, improving transportation and recreation, and keeping taxes predictable.

O’Reilly, first elected to council in 2018 and currently president and CEO of Comet Industries, emphasized his reputation as a “collaborative leader” who delivers results.

Hamer-Jackson, a used-car salesman who won the 2022 mayoral race with 32 per cent of the vote, has signaled he intends to run again but did not respond to a request for comment. His populist platform and controversial proposals—such as offering bus tickets to unhoused people—made him a polarizing figure. Since taking office, he has been at the centre of repeated investigations and lawsuits, leaving council sessions frequently mired in conflict.

In announcing his campaign more than a year early, O’Reilly made clear he hopes to avoid a repeat of the fractured 2022 race, where three sitting councillors split the vote. His strategy received a boost from the endorsements of former mayors Terry Lake and Ken Christian, who both urged unity behind his candidacy.

“Kamloops has become a bit of a joke, to be honest,” Lake said. “The message to any potential candidates is: let’s not split the vote.”

Other councillors have yet to declare their intentions. Coun. Dale Bass said she plans to revisit the question later in 2025.

Municipal elections across B.C. are scheduled for October 17, 2026, but candidates are increasingly launching campaigns early. Yearly donation caps encourage early fundraising, and Kamloops now joins Vancouver and Surrey as cities where the races are already heating up.