FORT ST. JOHN, B.C. - Longtime Fort St. John city councillor Byron Stewart says he will not seek re-election in this fall’s municipal election, ending a 15-year run in local politics.
In a statement, Stewart announced he has decided to step away from municipal government and will not run in the October 17 election.
“After much thought and internal debate, I’ve decided that it’s time for me to step away from municipal politics and make it clear that I will not be running for re-election this Fall,” he wrote.
Stewart compared public service to a relay race, saying effective leadership means knowing when to hand responsibility to the next generation.
“I believe that leadership is more like a relay than a solo sprint,” he said. “You run your leg, you do your best for the team, and then, most importantly, you hand over the baton.”
First elected at age 39, Stewart said he is stepping away at age 54 after serving the community for the past 15 years.
During that time, he said he gained a deeper appreciation for the complexity of municipal government and the wide range of issues local elected officials are expected to tackle.
He reflected on the challenges of council work, from infrastructure and neighbourhood concerns to budgets, staffing, zoning and development issues, while also navigating public scrutiny and social media commentary.
Despite those challenges, Stewart described serving Fort St. John as a privilege and thanked his family, friends, fellow elected officials and city staff for their support over the years.
He also encouraged residents interested in local government to put their names forward during this year’s election.
“If you’re fortunate enough to be elected, you have the opportunity to represent a wonderful community and make a real difference,” Stewart said.
The 2026 municipal election takes place on October 17.
“My leg of the race is coming to an end, and I’m proud of the distance covered,” Stewart said. “I am proud of our community.”