The election of a Corporation of Hamilton councillor next month will be a two-horse race between a pair of city business owners.

Michael Branco and Mia Chambray were the only two nominations who registered today.

The election was called following the death of councillor Larry Scott last month.

Only business ratepayers are eligible to take part in the extraordinary municipal election, to be held on July 1 at St Paul African Methodist Episcopalian Church’s Centennial Hall, on Court Street.

Mr Branco, a technology consultant who owns Celeste Ventures, said: “I ran in the 2019 city election and lost by five votes to Larry Scott. I was very saddened to hear the news that Larry had passed away.

“I got to catch up with him at Christmas time at the Mayor’s reception and we recounted how, when they were doing the final vote and I lost by five votes, he put his arm around me and said ‘Don’t worry — I’m more upset than you, because I wanted you to win’.

“I had a lot of time for Larry and I’m really upset to see him gone. Since then I’ve continued to serve on committees — infrastructure, finance, Front Street development and also the IT committee.

“This particular extraordinary election is only for 11 months because we’re due to have a full election in May 2026, so I thought given how close I was to Larry, and that I’ve been serving on committees, I would be able to slot into the role.”

He added: “I’ve always had a strong community sense around myself and always wanted to serve in any roles that are available.”

Ms Chambray is the cofounder of the Cassine store on Reid Street, which sells environmentally friendly beauty products.

After putting her name forward, she said: “I’m very invested in the City of Hamilton, and my peer group is other female business owners and entrepreneurs.

“There’s a preponderance of women that I socialise with. It’s definitely my support system in Hamilton.

“I think it’s really important for different voices to be at the table, especially at this time in my life and career. Being a woman in business in Hamilton means a lot to me personally and professionally.

“I’m in Hamilton every single day. My grandmother owned a flower shop on Reid Street, she was one of the first woman business owners when you couldn’t even get a bank account without your husband.

“My mum and I are now back on Reid Street — so all roads lead to Reid Street in my family.”

Charles Gosling, the Mayor of Hamilton, arrived at the nomination centre at St Paul AME shortly after the deadline.

Asked if he was disappointed that only two people had thrown their hats in the ring, he replied: “I’m quite happy that a true and proper election is going to take place.

“If you look at the records, many times an election has gone through acclimation. I say that knowing full well that I’ve won by acclimation several times.“

Mr Gosling described Mr Scott as “a truly remarkable gentleman”.

He added: “Lots of time, particularly with the democratic process and how democracy works, it’s necessary to get a conversation going. Larry was great at that.

“If you felt put out by his beliefs, I think it was more down to the fact that you were unable to answer his argument.”

• Comments are closed on coverage of the extraordinary municipal election in the run-up to July 1 to stem the flow of purposefully inflammatory and litigious comments.