New faces ready for city council

By Lethbridge Herald on October 23, 2025.

Alejandra Pulido-Guzman
Lethbridge Herald

The unofficial results of the City Council contest of the Municipal Election 2025, show aRyan Wolfe, Al Beeber, and Rufa Doria as the three new members joining the team. 

Ryan Wolfe, who also ran for council in the 2021 municipal election said it was great to receive the support from the community this time around to be able to join city council. 

He said he enjoyed the campaign process and getting to know people while talking to them in their doorsteps and talking to business owners. 

“I feel like during that part of the journey is when I get to hear directly from the people about what their concerns are and what they are looking forward from their city council, and myself directly,” said Wolfe. 

He said getting more than 6,000 votes showed him that he did a good job at understanding the needs of the community and relaying their concerns from what he heard directly from the people that took the time to talk to him. 

“One of the prevailing messages throughout the campaign among all candidates was the need for change, for new voices on council so I am happy to be part of it,” said Wolfe. 

He said he is aware of the need for him to learn and catch up with the incumbent council members to be able to work together efficiently. 

Al Beeber said the experience of running for city council was amazing and he was still in a bit of shock with the amount of support received by the community, as it was his first campaign. 

“It’s been an amazing experience, I’ve never done this before, and I had a really strong support. Even a year prior, people kept telling me I should run for council, so I decided to do it and the momentum built as the campaign went on,” said Beeber. 

He said he had support from many people from different walks of life and that meant a lot to him. He added that it was a real grassroots effort. 

“I didn’t have a real official campaign team. A friend from Grade 5 was handling my finances, but it was just me and people helping out volunteering. My family helped a lot.”

Beeber said he didn’t know what to expect going into the campaign, and to receive more than 6,000 votes was a bit of shock. But he was hopeful that his involvement with the community for so many years had some influence in that. 

“I am looking forward to working with Blaine (Hyggen) and the other councillors, some of whom I have got to know quite well throughout the years covering council for four years,” said Beeber. 

He hopes to cultivate those relationships and to develop good relationships with those new to the role alongside with him. 

Beeber said he hopes his knowledge of city issues from his many years of coverage as a journalist will be helpful in his new role. 

“I know the inside workings of City Hall, I know a lot about the issues around the city with the wastewater treatment plant, affordable housing and more, so I feel like I have a really good pulse on the community.”

Rufa Doria said that running for council has been a whirlwind of emotions, but above all, it has been deeply fulfilling because it allowed her to be closer to the community. 

“I’ve been truly moved by the many conversations I’ve had with residents by listening to their concerns, hopes, and ideas for our city. Municipal elections are personal and close to the heart, and at every event I attended, I reminded myself that I was advocating for my neighbours, friends, and everyone who calls Lethbridge home,” said Doria. 

She said her campaign was powered by volunteers, and she was touched by the incredible number of people who offered their time and energy to help. 

Doria said that since the unofficial results were released, her team has received countless phone calls, many expressing joy, pride, and above all, hope, predominantly from members of diverse cultural communities across Lethbridge.

“I am honoured to be the first Filipina elected to Lethbridge City Council, which is a historic milestone for our city,” said Doria. 

She said she is deeply grateful not only for the overwhelming support from the Filipino community, but also from the Indigenous, Latino, Afghani, Punjabi, and Vietnamese communities, as well as many other cultural groups who have never before seen themselves reflected in local decision-making roles.

“I look forward to serving as a voice for underrepresented communities and bringing fresh perspectives to City Council, while continuing to champion the proud agricultural heritage that defines Southern Alberta.”