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 Daryl Demaray, running for Ward 2 South Huron had to say.
TRANSCRIBED AUDIO:
“Hello everyone, my name is Daryl Demaray and I’m running for Councillor for the municipality of South Huron Ward 2, Exeter. I’m a resident of Exeter, a proud father of three wonderful kids and a husband to my beautiful wife, Jess. I’ve lived and worked in South Huron for over 22 years and this community has truly become home for my family. Over the years through my work in the building and construction industry, running my own business and now as general manager at Home Hardware Building Centre in Grand Bend, I’ve had the opportunity to work with local homeowners, contractors, trade people and businesses throughout our community.
I’ve seen firsthand the pride people take in what they build, the challenges they face, how important it is to work together to get things done right. Those experiences have taught me a lot, not just about businesses, but about the importance of listening, solving problems, managing resources and following through on your commitments. Through my work serving in our local church, volunteering with Common Plate, and my involvement in the community, I’ve also had the opportunity to build relationships with many of the people who call South here on home. For years, I’ve been actively engaged in our municipality, attending council meetings, listening to the issues and building relationships with local leaders and residents. I’ve taken time to understand how our municipality works and I’m ready to put that experience to work for you. The decisions we make today will shape the community we leave for our children, our families, our businesses and the generations that come after us.
That’s the kind of leadership I want to bring to council, unity, strength, and responsible leadership. I’m running because I care about this community and I want to play an active role in shaping its future. The decisions council makes affects all of us. Our families, our businesses, our infrastructure, our taxes, and the quality of life we enjoy every day. I believe those decisions need to be made thoughtfully, transparently, and with the long-term interest of our entire community in mind.
I’m not running to divide us. I’m running to bring people together. I’m not here to represent one group, one neighborhood, or one particular point of view. I’m here to represent our community as a whole. I want to listen, find common ground, and help make decisions that move south here on forward. I don’t have a long political resume, and I believe that can be a strength. I’m not a career politician. I’m a community member who believes good leadership starts with being willing to listen, learn, work with others, and take responsibility. Through my work, my business experience, and my involvement in our community, I’ve learned the importance of communication, teamwork, accountability, and following through on commitments. I believe those qualities are just as important around the council table. To me, responsible leadership means more than making promises. It means doing the work, asking difficult questions, understanding the facts, listening to residents, and being accountable for the decisions we make. I believe one of our biggest challenges is making sure South Huron remains strong and sustainable while responsibly managing the changes and pressures we face.
We need to be thoughtful about how we spend taxpayer dollars. We need to maintain and improve our infrastructure. We need to consider local businesses and organizations and our decision making. And we need to plan for the future while still respecting the needs of the people who live here today. We can’t afford to make decisions based only on short-term thinking. Responsible leadership means looking beyond the next election cycle and asking a simple question. What kind of community are we leaving for the next generation? We need to make decisions that are financially responsible, practical and sustainable. And we need to have those conversations together. I’m asking for your vote because I believe in putting our community ahead of politics.
I’ll listen, I’ll ask questions, I’ll consider different perspectives. And when it’s time to make a decision, I’ll make it based on what I believe is in the best interest of our community. Not simply what is the easiest or most popular. I believe unity gives us strength, especially when we disagree. And I believe responsible leadership means being willing to make thoughtful decisions today for a better tomorrow.
I’m not promising that we’ll agree on everything. I’m promising that I’ll listen, work with others and represent you with honesty, respect and accountability. Our community has incredible people, tremendous potential and a strong foundation. Now is the time to build on that foundation together. United, we are stronger with responsible leadership. We can move forward and together we can build a community we’re proud to call home. Thank you and I would be honored to have your support and your vote.”
