We’ve all looked at our political system and said “I’d do a much better job”. Brady Rogers is trying to see if he can. A UBCO alumni, Brayden “Brady” Rogers is a local business owner in the cultural district of Kelowna. His business, the Rogerie, focuses on reusing plastic waste and creating 3D printed home oddities.

More outwardly, Rogers has decided to run for city council in the 2026 Kelowna Municipal election. His campaign is built on humorous anecdotes such as “I Barely Want to Do This” and “How Hard Could it Be”. But behind this is someone who simply wants to contribute to his community in a meaningful way.

Rogers believes that earning a spot on City Council would allow him to do more of what he wants to do. Being involved in recycling, re-creation, and sustainability, he says that he would love to bring more of those values to the city of Kelowna. Rogers also wants to focus on support for small businesses, being an owner of one himself.

While he realizes that his plans will be impacted by whomever is elected on October 17th, Rogers has many ideas to counter drug abuse, the homeless crisis, and protection of small businesses. One plan in particular is to involve the RCMP and provide consistent drug control to enforce minor consequences for possession, limit police involvement, and keep the streets safer. He’s also hoping that his fellow candidates not only focus on the issues right in front of them, but long term goals as well.

It seems as if social media has become the new campaigning tool, as not only Rogers but other candidates, such as Theresa May, have also been attempting to engage with their community online. Examples include recent videos of May wakeboarding in heels or parasailing with her campaign sign have received lots of attention.

Rogers appreciates all that his media involvement has gotten him. He does not take for granted what his Instagram has done for his outreach and his campaign, even being featured in American news broadcasts. He admits that much of his message could not have been spread without his media presence and is excited to see if this unconventional campaign tactic works.

Besides media attention, dry humour, and representing his fellow small businesses, Rogers believes that what truly draws people to his platform is his genuineness. By having a ‘citizen’s perspective’, Rogers believes people can see the effort being put into this venture. He showcases his relatableness and attempts to show his community that his lack of political experience is an asset to City Council.

Rogers also believes that by having a presence in the community, he can put his ear to the ground and know what his community needs from him. He says that if elected, it would be impossible to immediately become ‘Polititian Brady’, and instead would use his everymanness to help him.

Rogers recognizes how his enthusiasm could perhaps be misconstrued. The ability to be digestible and liked by everyone is one that few possess. Rogers believes that perhaps some people may think lowly of his unorthodox campaign, reducing it to ‘silliness’, and dismissing him because of it. However, Rogers is doubling down. He believes that for those paying attention, his message is clear.

The reliance upon social media has allowed him to openly spell out his wishes. While the algorithm decides who his content is shown to, he can control the narrative, not relaying it through a PR team and website. Through his modern methodology, Rogers has been able to be authentically himself. He proudly states that the gag is a cornerstone of his personality and the only way he would have actually gone through with this election. He hopes that the videos and signs bring people in, but that they stay for his message.

With the political future of B.C. and Kelowna being such a popular topic, it felt imperative that Rogers cleared the air. A weird catch 22 presents itself with Rogers’ campaign, where his slogan is that he did not want to run, but the fact that he has put so much effort into the election tells us something else. In response to a question wondering if he actually wanted to run, Rogers earnestly answered, “Begrudgingly, yes, I want to do this”.