New Mission Mayor-Elect Jag Gill. (Image Credit: Jag Gill)
New Mayor Speaks

Jag Gill issues statement on unexpected Mission mayoral election win

Sep 20, 2026 | 10:54 AM

MISSION — Jag Gill, Mission’s new mayor-elect and the youngest ever to hold the city’s top job, says he’s looking to make the most of his sudden election win after his only opponent dropped out of the race.

The City of Mission declared that 31-year-old Jag Gill was elected mayor by acclamation on Friday, September 18, roughly an hour after H.S. Kenny Braich announced he would withdraw from the race.

“I apologize and thank all of you who have expressed such strong support,” Braich said. “I am disappointed in having to withdraw […] I am a simple guy living a complicated life in a crazy and dangerous world, and my family and I’s health, safety and security remains the most important priority.”

Gill has since issued his own statement, saying this wasn’t “how [he] expected the campaign to end.”

“I wanted an election. I wanted to keep knocking on doors, put my eight-year record and my vision in front of this community, answer the hard questions and ask people for their vote,” he added. 

He added that he will continue to knock on doors and answer phones, though this time, it will be to show his intentions as a new, responsible mayor.

“Going from Mission’s youngest Councillor to its youngest Mayor is something I will carry with me for the rest of my life. […] Eight years ago, Mission took a chance on a young guy who wanted to serve his community. I’ve spent every day since trying to be worthy of that chance,” said Gill. “Now you’ve trusted me with something even bigger.”

Gill became a city councillor in 2018, at 23.

Braich previously ran in the mayoral race in 2022, falling second to outgoing mayor Paul Horn. He is set to release a video sharing “important information” about his withdrawal sometime this weekend.