Doug Mccallum is back in the race for Surrey mayor, unveiling a fresh campaign in South Surrey on Monday morning ET after falling short in the last election. The former mayor said he is taking another run at City Hall with some of his former slate members and a set of promises aimed squarely at voters worried about costs and city growth.
McCallum said he will challenge Brenda Locke again in the upcoming municipal election, framing the campaign as a chance to finish what he says was left undone. Speaking to journalists, he said, “Surrey, I never stopped working for you. But we are not finished. I’m running again to solidify Surrey’s legacy. ”
Doug Mccallum returns with a familiar slate
The announcement marked the official start of Doug Mccallum’s campaign to become Surrey’s mayor again. He was joined by councillors Doug Elford and Mandeep Nagra, the only two Safe Surrey Coalition members elected in 2022, and both are returning to his slate.
More candidates are expected to be named within the next month. For now, the bid is built around a familiar political base and a direct appeal to voters who may be weighing continuity against change in Surrey’s next municipal contest.
Tax freeze and policing promises take center stage
Doug Mccallum’s pledge list included no property tax increase over the four-year term, a helicopter purchase for the Surrey Police within the first 90 days of office, and extending SkyTrain to Surrey’s Newton town centre. He linked the tax promise to broader household pressure, saying the economy is uncertain and the cost of living is punishing.
“The economy is uncertain. The cost of living is punishing, and the government should feel that too, ” McCallum said. “So we are going to freeze that tax rate, keep every dollar where it belongs — in your hands, in your family’s hands, in your business, and make more money in your pocket. ”
What this means for the Surrey race
The return of Doug Mccallum sets up a rematch with Brenda Locke and revives one of Surrey’s most recognizable municipal rivalries. The campaign also puts immediate attention on whether voters respond to a platform centered on taxes, policing, and transit expansion rather than a broader reset.
With the election still ahead, the next signals will come from the rest of McCallum’s slate and how quickly his promises move from campaign language to detailed policy. For now, Doug Mccallum is betting that a second run can reopen the door to Surrey’s top job.
