From underdog to top dog, Ryan Switzer easily returns to the fold as a Swift Current city councillor.
In the last four years, Switzer has risen to the second most votes in the 2024 municipal election for city council, totalling 2,075. In his initial bid for council, Switzer managed to barely get in on the sixth seat, beating Ron Toles with 38 votes for a total of 1,568.
"The residents of Swift Current gave a long-shot candidate a shot four years ago and elected to give me another shot at this," said Switzer. "It's humbling and I look forward to working hard for this community for the next four years."
Switzer is already reflecting on what that voter growth means for this term.
"They've decided they want to put me to work for the next four years and we got a lot of work to do as a community," said Switzer. "So, tonight we celebrate, and tomorrow we put the work boots on."
The main focus Switzer and the rest of council ran on this election is the new sports and leisure facility. The potential for a new Aquatic Centre in Swift Current has been a key concern for voters, and Switzer knows it.
"That's a big one," said Switzer. "Four years ago, there weren't a lot of candidates that were running with the word 'facilities' in their platform.
"It's amazing to see how far we've come in that regard with the great work that the Southwest Facility Foundation is doing."
Maintaining infrastructure is also high on Switzer's priorities, as well as growing economic development.
The other three returning incumbents that ran in this election, Leanne Tuntland-Wiebe, Ryan Plewis, and Tom Christiansen are individuals Switzer is eager to continue working with. He is also congratulatory for the other two city councillors, Bruce Deg and Courtney Stewart.
"It's great to see Bruce back around the table," said Switzer. "I'm really excited to work with Miss Stewart as well. I think that she's gonna bring a lot to the table."