John Braimoh View candidate
His campaign emphasizes bringing residents together and invites them to share ward priorities. His priorities include neighbourhoods, city services, local business, families and youth, responsible growth, and accountable government. He calls for safer, cleaner, better-maintained public spaces and improved communication with City Hall.
Campaign: johnbraimoh.ca · 289-260-4260 · connect@johnbraimoh.ca. John Chiocchio View candidate Current Ward 3 councillor; City records also document service in the 2014–2018 term. Ward 3 councillor for the 2022–2026 term.
City records document council service in the 2014–2018 term and the current term.
On January 14, 2025, voted against keeping council composition unchanged at thirteen members, including the mayor. The Integrity Commissioner found no Code breach in the joint complaint about recount-related votes, in the report published in August 2023. That finding concerns this complaint only. An April 2026 Integrity Commissioner report found Code breaches concerning his subsequent Facebook posts and responses, including misleading communications and bullying. On April 14, Council issued a reprimand and requested a written apology; a proposed two-week pay suspension was defeated.
Re-elected in Ward 3 in 2022; certified to run again in 2026. Campaign email: jchiocchio@hotmail.ca. City office: john.chiocchio@welland.ca. Sharmila Setaram View candidate Elected as a Ward 3 councillor in 2022; seeking re-election in 2026. Ward 3 councillor for the 2022–2026 term. Graduate of Queen’s University and the University of Waterloo. Certified Human Resources Leader designation. Experience in public service, human resources and nonprofit governance. Elected to AMO’s Small Urban Caucus in 2024, one of four successful candidates in a field of eleven and the only Niagara representative elected in that contest. Serves on AMO’s board as a Small Urban representative; the City also lists Ontario Small Urban Municipalities executive membership. Advocacy for neighbourhood safety and proactive bylaw enforcement. Advocacy for access to programs serving families, seniors and small businesses. City appointments include the Arts and Culture Advisory Committee and the Downtown Welland BIA board. Former Equal Voice national board chair and Amnesty International Canada president. Recipient of the Sovereign’s Medal for Volunteers, awarded April 21, 2022. Stated values: care, compassion and accountability.
Elected in Ward 3 in 2022 with 961 votes; certified to run again in 2026. Campaign email: info@votesharmila.ca. Councillor website: sharmila.ca. City office: sharmila.setaram@welland.ca. Steve Soos View candidate The Pointer reports that he ran for Welland mayor in 2018. The Pointer reports that he initially filed for the English Public School Board in 2026 before switching to Ward 3. Contested the 2021 Ward 3 by-election. Contested Ward 6 in the 2014 municipal election. Niagara Region’s February 2023 committee minutes identify him as a Welland resident and record his advocacy on homelessness, mental health and addiction. Born and raised in Welland; describes himself as a lifelong resident. BA in International Development Studies and Philosophy from Trent University. In a January 2026 interview, he discussed advocacy on mental health, addiction and homelessness. Developmental Support Worker supporting people with developmental and intellectual disabilities. Former owner and host of True Politics Media; owner and host of Advocates with Steven Soos on YouTube. Delegated to a Niagara Region committee in February 2023 advocating an emergency declaration on homelessness, mental health and addiction. In a January 22, 2026 interview, he called for further regional action following the emergency declaration. In January 2026, he advocated longer youth mental-health walk-in clinic hours and restoring mental-health services at Welland Hospital. In a May 2023 interview, he advocated an Indigenous mobile crisis unit for Niagara. Initiated petition e-7098 seeking public access to the National Sex Offender Registry; sponsored by Fred Davies and closed with 4,949 validated signatures. His biography describes challenging secret voting at City Hall in 2017.
Prioritize core services, financial accountability and value for taxpayers. Seek a City of Welland emergency declaration on mental health, homelessness and addictions. Create a mental-health and addictions committee involving people with lived experience, organizations, providers and government. Establish a community-watch program in partnership with the City and Niagara Regional Police. Hold regular Ward 3 town halls.
The Pointer reports that he received roughly 11% of the vote in the 2018 Welland mayoral race. The Pointer reports that he initially filed in Ward 4 in 2018 before switching to the mayoral race. Campaign: 365-524-8871 · stevesoos12@gmail.com. James Takeo View candidate Certified Ward 3 candidate for the 2026 election. Owns Takeo Tattoo Studios in Welland. His candidate biography includes volunteering and organizing local events.
Tattoo artist and owner of Takeo Tattoo Studios. Three years of past involvement with the Downtown Welland BIA. Service on Waterway, Active Transportation and Green advisory committees, and the Council Compensation Review. Chair of the City of Welland’s Arts and Culture Advisory Committee. Served on the Welland Historical Museum board. Campaign approach: ideas and public discussion, without door knocking, flyers or signs. His downtown priorities include local businesses, arts and culture, safety, cleanliness and connections to the canal. He advocates investing in downtown Welland’s distinctive assets.
Campaign: jamestakeotattoos.com/blog · ninjajamestattoo@gmail.com. 
