Mitchell was born and raised in Brooklin, Ontario, a rural community within Whitby.
He was a member of the 1976 Brooklin Redmen, and his 1970 junior lacrosse team was inducted into the Whitby Sports Hall of Fame.
He represented Whitby's North Ward for until 2003, when he ran unsuccessfully for a seat on Durham Regional Council.
[4] Mitchell ran for re-election in 2018 on a platform of "strong progress on council, local jobs and prosperity, vibrant downtowns, walkable neighbourhoods, and improved customer service.
Mulcahy also accused Mitchell of inappropriate behaviour in private,[8] including making "sexual innuendos about a female member of staff on their knees" and assaulting her by giving her an unwelcome should massage at a public event.