In Kelowna, election signs bearing the message “I barely want to do this” gained global attention before Saturday’s municipal election. Despite his initial reluctance, 33-year-old Brady Rogers secured a seat on Kelowna’s city council with 12,635 votes, placing him as the fourth most popular candidate.
Rogers, a small business owner and engineer, initially found the idea of running for council laughable. However, after reflecting on his skills, he embraced the campaign with an authentic and honest approach, reflected in his slogan, “Fine, I’ll do it.”
While Rogers’ campaign used humor to stand out, his policy platform focused on key issues such as housing, transit, taxation, and homelessness. He emphasized the importance of younger voices in shaping council decisions based on current economic realities.
According to David Black, an associate professor at Royal Roads University, Rogers successfully blended satire with serious policy proposals, creating a campaign that resonated with voters. Black praised Rogers for his unique approach, noting that he differentiated himself in a crowded candidate field by eschewing traditional political gravity in favor of a more relatable and digitally aligned strategy.
Rogers expressed a “sense of duty” to bring a fresh perspective to council and improve the city of Kelowna. As he prepares to take on his new role, Rogers looks forward to learning the intricacies of being a city councillor and contributing to the betterment of the community.
