The County of Essex elected their new Warden and Deputy Warden during a special meeting of council Wednesday night.
Leamington's Mayor Hilda MacDonald has been elected to serve as Warden, while Tecumseh's Deputy Mayor Joe Bachetti was chosen as Deputy Warden.
"I'm so thrilled to be here. I'm honoured that you would think of me highly enough to put me in this spot," said MacDonald. "Look at the diversity around this table. The time is right...it's no longer just one demographic. Skin colour, age, gender, all of those things are represented at this table."
Former Warden, Gary McNamara, who stood for re-election lost the role to MacDonald. LaSalle Mayor Crystal Meloche was the only other nominee up for the title of Deputy Warden.
"I want to thank Gary McNamara. You were someone I could go to for advice, and for that I will forever be grateful," she said.
MacDonald easily won her second-term has Mayor in Leamington last month during the 2022 municipal election. Bachetti has held the spot as Tecumseh's Deputy Mayor alongside Gary McNamara since 2014.