For me, Spanish has never simply been a place on the map — it is home, and it always has been.
My roots in Spanish run deep on both sides of my family. The McCormick, Pringle, Theriault and Marlow families are all part of my connection to this community, giving me generations of family history tied to the place I proudly call home.
I spent my childhood in Spanish and began my education at École St-Anne. Some of my most meaningful childhood memories were made on the waters surrounding Spanish, boating and fishing with my grandparents. Those days created much more than cherished family memories. They helped shape my lifelong appreciation and respect for the natural world and, more specifically, for the land, water and community of Spanish.
Those experiences gave me an understanding from an early age of just how special this area is — and why its character, natural beauty and way of life are worth protecting as we look toward our future.
Although I eventually moved away to pursue opportunities in my personal and professional life, I never stopped calling Spanish home. I remained connected to the community, followed the issues and changes affecting it, and maintained the relationships and sense of belonging that have always tied me to Spanish.
Now, I have returned home — not simply to live here again, but with a desire to give back to the community that helped shape me.
I bring a diverse professional background in business, sales, marketing and public speaking. My experience has taught me how to build relationships, communicate effectively, identify opportunities, promote ideas and turn plans into action. These are skills I believe can be put to work advocating for Spanish and positioning our community for responsible growth.
My political experience also extends across all three levels of government. I have volunteered on municipal, provincial and federal political campaigns, giving me firsthand exposure to the political process and an understanding of the importance of strong relationships between different levels of government.
Through those experiences, I have developed personal connections with municipal, provincial and federal political representatives. As Mayor, I would be prepared to use my experience and relationships to advocate for Spanish, pursue opportunities and ensure our community's voice is heard beyond our municipal boundaries.
As a mother of three, I also look at the future of Spanish through the eyes of the next generation. I want Spanish to be a community where young people can imagine building their futures, families can afford to put down roots, seniors can continue calling Spanish home, local businesses can prosper, and new residents and investment are welcomed.
I believe growth and preservation do not have to be competing ideas. We can pursue new housing, economic development, tourism, infrastructure and opportunities while remaining respectful of the land, water, history and small-town character that make Spanish unique.
My approach to leadership is straightforward:
Listen to residents. Communicate openly. Work collaboratively. Build relationships. Pursue opportunities. And make decisions based on what will serve Spanish not only today, but for generations to come.
I am running for Mayor because I believe in what Spanish already is — and in what we can become together.
For me, this campaign is deeply personal.
It is about returning to the waters where I fished with my grandparents, the community where I first went to school, and the place generations of my family have called home.
It is about coming home, giving back, and helping build the next chapter of Spanish.
Rachel Theriault for Mayor
Deep Roots. Fresh Leadership. A Stronger Spanish.
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