As part of 90.5 myFM’s 2026 Election Coverage, myFM reached out to candidates in South Huron, Bluewater, Lambton Shores and Lucan-Biddulph to hear why they believe residents should vote for them on October 26th.
Here’s what David McLean, running for Ward 4 in Lambton Shores had to say.
TRANSCRIBED AUDIO:
“Hello, my name is David McLean. I’m running for the ward 4 seat on the Lambton Shores Council to bring practical experience, active community involvement, and strong accountability to our local government.
Over the years, I have interacted with many community leaders in a wide range of areas, and I decided I’d like to go a step further and be involved directly in ensuring that Lambton Shores has the kind of representation it needs to take it forward into the future.
We have a beautiful community. A few weeks ago, I rode my 1949 Massey-Hairs pony tractor in the vintage tractor parade from Forest to Thedford. I was literally left in the dust by the other bigger and faster tractors, but that left me to enjoy a quiet drive through the back roads of the municipality. These were roads I had driven many times before, but driving in a slow moving tractor through the countryside was different. It permitted me to much better enjoy the wonderful sights to be seen in our countryside, the barns and farmhouses, the horses and cattle in the fields, and the property owners carrying out their chores. Just a few days before this event, I had declared my candidacy. Quite certain I had done the right thing, but it was that drive through the countryside that reinforced my decision to run for council. So I could be a part of helping this community navigate its way in an ever-changing world.
This is the first time I’ve run for political office. I’m an outsider in that regard. Despite not having held a political office before, I know that I am more than qualified to take on the challenge. As a high school teacher, I developed excellent organizational, interpersonal, and communication skills. I was heavily involved in running extracurricular sports teams and clubs. I also organized numerous excursions for my students, including many trips overseas.
More recently, as a volunteer with the Forest Museum, and now serving as its president, I have quite successfully overseen the museum’s operations for the better part of a decade, taking the lead on fundraising, grant applications, the hiring supervision of staff, and pretty much everything that keeps the museum running. It has been a big responsibility, but I know that all my time and efforts have been worth it, so that our museum is now recognized as a very active and vital part of our community.
So I look very forward to using my skills and know-how to provide the voters and word for the representation they expect and deserve. So what is top of mind issue for the voters of Lambton Shores? I know that affordability is on the minds of many. I don’t need to tell you why. Now some might say there isn’t much a municipal council member can do about the situation. There are others who say we have programs and agencies like Contact House to look after those most in need. My response? It is my firm belief that even though the causes of the current financial challenge are far from us, it is the responsibility of every political leader of every level of government to do whatever they can to help people in these difficult times.
Well, why shouldn’t the residents of Ward 4 and Lambton Shores vote for me? I believe that my campaign slogan best answers that question, character, commitment, community. In terms of character, I’m a well-respected and trusted member of this community who has done my best in all my capacities as a husband, a father, a teacher and a volunteer. I’m a positive minded, honest and hardworking individual who speaks truth to power and who you can count on to listen, to act and to serve always with the intention of doing what is right. In terms of commitment, when I set out to accomplish a task, whenever I take on a project, I follow through. That’s not to say I haven’t had my fair share of setbacks. I have. But anyone who knows me will attest to my drive and determination to get where I need to go. I can assure the voters of Ward 4 that I will fully commit myself to being your representative on council.
Finally, in regards to community, I chose this word to be part of my slogan because I am very devoted to where I have lived for the past 27 years. Past and present generations have worked hard to build this community. They faced challenges and setbacks too, but they carried on however and whenever they could. I am now prepared to assume new responsibilities that will allow me to do my part to help build a positive future for Lambton Shores. To learn more about me and my campaign, I urge you to go to my website. It’s McLean, so M-C-L-E-A-N, 4ward4.com. And those fours are the number four. Thank you very much.”
