The 14 Mayors and Deputy Mayors from Essex County's seven local municipalities elect a Warden and Deputy Warden to represent the County for a four-year term.
Warden Gary McNamara
McNamara was first elected to Tecumseh Council in 1991. He was elected deputy mayor in 1998. He was elected to his first of five mayoral terms in 2003. He was re-elected in 2006, acclaimed in 2010, elected in 2014 and acclaimed again in 2018.
This is his first term as Warden. He served as Deputy Warden from 2000 to 2003 and from 2010 to 2014.
The Warden is the head of the Council of the County of Essex. The County's procedure by-law sets the term of office of the County Warden to be the same as the 4 year term of Council.
The Warden's election is held the 2nd Wednesday in December in the same year as the municipal election. County Council elects the Warden by secret ballot.
McNamara was elected Warden on Dec. 12, 2018.
Deputy Warden Nelson Santos
Santos was first elected to Kingsville council in 1997 and has served as Kingsville's Mayor since 2003. He was acclaimed to serve his fifth term in the October 2018 election.
Santos served as Warden from 2007 to 2010 and Deputy Warden from 2003 to 2006.
The County's procedure by-law also sets the term of office for the Deputy Warden. After the Warden's election, Council elects a Deputy Warden.
This is also by secret ballot. The Deputy Warden position will act from time to time in the place of the Warden when he is absent. The Deputy Warden may have the same rights and powers as the Warden.
Santos was elected Deputy Warden on Dec. 12, 2018.
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