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Thursday, June 5, 2025

Comparative Spotlight: Andrea Horwath vs. Fred Eisenberger — Front-Page Coverage in The Hamilton Spectator

A recent comparative review by The Hamiltonian reveals that former Mayor Fred Eisenberger was featured on the front page of The Hamilton Spectator nearly twice as often as current Mayor Andrea Horwath, when adjusting for the time they’ve each served.


Measuring the Media Presence 

Using a proportional lens, the study examined the first 32 months of Mayor Horwath’s term (October 2022–June 2025) and compared it to a similar span during Eisenberger’s final term (October 2014–May 2017). Only news stories on the front page were counted—excluding opinion pieces and letters. Both digital and print editions were considered.

Eisenberger’s higher media visibility coincided with high-stakes debates, including the light rail transit (LRT) project, city revitalization plans, and the Pan Am Games—each of which earned multiple front-page placements. In contrast, Horwath’s front-page moments have centered around her historic election as Hamilton’s first female mayor and key policy matters like steel tariffs and housing.

Takeaway

Though both mayors have been pivotal in shaping Hamilton’s trajectory, their media profiles—at least in The Spectator's front-page real estate—reveal different narratives. Eisenberger’s early term reflected a combative, high-profile era; Horwath’s to date suggests a quieter, steadier path through Hamilton’s evolving landscape.


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