King election night live 2018: Jordan Cescolini,22, scores upset over incumbent Cleve Mortelliti

Jakob Schneider takes Ward 3 seat held by Linda Pabst, who did not seek re-election

Yorkregion.com
October 23, 2018
Sheila Wang

King Township residents might not have been expecting a nail-biting election night as the senior role on council was decided months ago, but it wasn't without surprise.

Incumbent Mayor Steve Pellegrini, acclaimed on July 30, will continue to lead the township for another four years.

As the unofficial results for the Oct. 22 election show, his new council will stay mostly unchanged with all incumbents – except Ward 1 Councillor Cleve Mortelliti - successfully holding onto their council seats for the 2018-2002 term.

In a tight race, 22-year-old Jordan Cescolini beat out incumbent Mortelliti by 56 votes.

It wasn't an easy win at all.

“Not sleeping the night before, your heart constantly beating throughout the day, remembering all the doors you’ve knocked on, all promises you need to keep, it’s a lot of responsibilities. That’s how I can describe this night,” Cescolini said at his victory party Monday night, surrounded by his family and friends.

Cescolini, a lifelong resident of King City with a financial background, said it was the neglected issues he brought to light and a “fresh perspective” he offered that had led to his victory.

As hard as he has worked on his campaign, Cescolini was a little surprised he beat out the 12-year councillor.

Morelliti was first elected in 2006 as Ward 1 Councillor, re-elected in 2010 and ran unchallenged in 2014.

“We knew we’re facing the longest serving councillor seeking re-election. He knew he had a pretty big advantage. We didn’t have any name recognition. So the only thing we could do is out work him and knock on more doors, ” Cescolini said.

Pellegrini said he was glad to see young people getting into politics and looked forward to working with the two new councillors – Cescolini and Jakob Schneider who won the open seat for Ward 3 councillor, held by Linda Pabst, who did not seek re-election.

“We’re a team,” mayor said. “An effective council member will be a collaborator and team player.”

Cescolini said he was eager to tackle the issues he brought up in his campaign.

Two-term Ward 6 Avia Eek who defeated her challenger Roman Dyriw by 120 votes celebrated her victory with family at her house.

“I was very positive and I was very hopeful. I do work hard for our community. But then it’s not all about me. It’s about getting information back from the residents and what their priorities are,” Eek said.

Ward 1
Cleve Mortelliti: 533
Jordan Cescolini: 589
Kelly Colasanti: 151

Ward 2
David Boyd: 970
Sherry Draisey: 105

Ward 3
Jakob Schneider: 183
Geoff Simpson: 142

Ward 4
Bill Cober: 879
Mary Asselstine: 572

Ward 5
Debbie Schaefer: 571
Rob Payne: 495

Ward 6
Avia Eek: 242
Roman Dyriw: 122