Tresidder, who received the endorsement of Kiss and former Hamilton West MPP and Minister of Colleges and Universities Richard Allen, was one of the first candidates to promote a website outlining their platform and e-mail as a way of communicating with voters.

[5] Caplan, the incumbent councillor, was endorsed by former Mayor Jack MacDonald who noted that, though he was a hard working local politician, he was "often his own worst enemy.".

Speaking to the Hamilton Spectator, Caplan wouldn't accuse any of his opponents, but speculated that "someone got a truck, hired a crew of students and stayed up all night uprooting signs.

"[8] Late in the campaign, Caplan was again targeted for his vote in favour of an expansion to Hamilton's urban boundary in a letter sent to Ward 1 residents by a group calling itself the "Responsible Ratepayers Coalition"[9] Zatylny focused his campaign on keeping taxes low, addressing issues caused by off-campus student housing around McMaster University, and saving the Chedoke ski hill.

Criticized for living outside Ward 1, Martino and his brother made news before the election for concerns raised by employees and residents about their retirement home, St. Olga's Lifecare Centre in the Strathcona neighbourhood.

His campaign manager then picketed Caplan's office and was accused of calling the incumbent councillor and leaving voicemails consisting of "clucking" sounds.

Despite political differences (Horwath's connections to the NDP and Corsini's relationship with the Liberal Party), both councillors earned a reputation for working well together on ward issues.

[15] The incumbent councillor also cited a need for supporting social services, cleaning up the city's waterfront, and strengthening local Business Improvement Areas.

[16] During the campaign, former Mayor Jack MacDonald drew some controversy when, in endorsing Corsini, lambasted Horwath, writing in the Spectator that the councillor "has too often been co-opted by the dark side of council.

"[7] Horwath received the endorsement of former Progressive Conservative-affiliated regional chair Terry Cooke and New Democrat MPP David Christopherson.

[14] Corsini's campaign focused on imposing limits on lodging homes and social housing, supporting the Red Hill Valley Expressway and a new waterfront highway, and proposed abolishing wards and creating an at-large council.

[16] Corsini, a local property owner and former grocer, received the endorsement of Hamilton West MP Stan Keyes in his bid for re-election.

Fisher, who served on council from 1976 to 1980, ran a restaurant on James Street North and cited taxes as his primary concern for running.

[7] One-term incumbent Haining, a local Beer Store employee, promoted his record of producing a business guide to Ward 3, tackling absentee landlords, and ensuring that the burden of civic revenue collection wasn't passed to fee increases over property taxes.

"[19] First-time candidate Ron Monahan ran on a platform of hiring more police officers, reforming social assistance, and protecting the Red Hill Creek.

A long-time Liberal, Copps' appointment was terminated by Prime Minister Brian Mulroney's Progressive Conservative government after their victory in 1984.

Copps noted in an exit interview with the Spectator that she was most proud of her environmental stances and opposition to the amalgamation of Hamilton with surrounding suburban communities, declaring that she would campaign against the Red Hill Valley Expressway in her retirement.

Merulla, 33, was then a Vice President of the Ontario Liberal Party, the former executive assistant to Hamilton East MPP Dominic Agostino and Shelia Copps' preferred candidate to replace her retiring mother.

[22] William Godfrey ran on a platform of addressing the environmental issues in the Ward, which is home to many of the city's heavy industries and two closed toxic dump sites.

[24] Pino Gallo aimed at working with local industry to re-purpose buildings as job creation centres, though generated controversy when he gave out his phone number which connected to an answering machine announcing he was already the Ward 4 councillor.

[25] The central Hamilton Mountain race was characterized by incumbent Ward 7 councillor Terry Anderson's announcement that he would not seek another term on council.

First elected in 1991, Anderson noted the completion of the Lincoln M. Alexander Parkway was a signature success and that he was stepping aside to prepare himself to seek federal office in the riding of Hamilton Mountain.

In August 2000, local conservative activist Mark Alan Whittle announced he was dropping out of the mayoral race and registering to run for the Ward 7 council seat.

"[29] Kelly won the night, earning over 4,000 more votes than Charlton, who the Spectator noted maintained her sense of humour in defeat by saying "It cured me of a superstition...I no longer think three times is a charm!

Bain ran on a platform of limiting development to manage transportation issues and supporting the construction of the Red Hill Valley Expressway.

"[35] The campaign featured a notable lack of hostility toward Stoney Creek's amalgamation with Hamilton, with voters noting they believed their community would retain its character and that the merger would make it more possible for the Red Hill Valley Expressway to be built.

[41] Marrone, who did not live in the ward, ran on a platform of lowering taxes while continuing to keep services functioning as well as improving roads and local infrastructure.

[45] Kerman, elected to Ancaster's council in 1997, had recently been unsuccessful in an attempt to secure the Liberal Party nomination to stand in a by-election in Ancaster-Dundas-Flamborough-Aldershot.

[45] Ferguson and Kerman were joined by former Hamilton-Wentworth Catholic District School Board trustee John Rocchi, who campaigned on increasing children's sports facilities and Steve Zivanic, a retired businessman and a member of an anti-Hamilton Airport activist group.

[47] Braden was a controversial figure, having previously accused regional politicians of corruption without proof and suggested residents of Flamborough may rise up in "outright rebellion" if the area was merged with Hamilton.