I'm not a big fan of career politicians and I'm even less a fan of political dynasties... our neighbours to the south may have the Kennedy, Clinton, and Bush dynasties (among others), but a closer look at the candidates in the 2008 Alberta election will reveal close family ties closer to home.
Here are nine candidates running in the 2008 Alberta Election stuck with the unfortunate political gene...
Athabasca-Redwater Tory candidate Jeff Johnson is the son of retiring Tory MLA LeRoy Johnson (1997-2008).
Athabasca-Redwater Alberta Liberal candidate Bill Bonko is the son of, well Edmonton-Decore Alberta Liberal MLA Bill Bonko.
Calgary-Egmont Wildrose Alliance candidate Barry Chase is the father of Calgary-Fort Wildrose Alliance candidate Travis Chase (no relation to Calgary-Varsity Alberta Liberal MLA Harry Chase).
Calgary-Foothills Tory MLA Len Webber's father, Neil Webber, was the Tory MLA for Calgary-Bow from 1975 to 1989.
Calgary-Shaw Tory MLA Cindy Ady's father-in-law, Jack Ady, was the Tory MLA for Cardston-Chief Mountain from 1993-1997.
Cardston-Taber-Warner Wildrose Alliance MLA & leader Paul Hinman's grandfather was Edgar Hinman, Alberta Social Credit MLA and Treasurer from 1955-1964.
Edmonton-Strathcona NDP candidate Rachel Notley's father was Grant Notley, NDP leader and MLA for Fairview-Spirit River (1971-1982)
Peace River Tory MLA Frank Oberle's father, Frank Oberle, was the MP for Prince George-Peace River from 1973 to 1993.
Spruce Grove-Sturgeon-St. Albert Tory MLA Doug Horner's grandfather Ralph Horner, was a Senator for Saskatchewan, his father, Dr. Hugh Horner was a federal Member of Parliament under John Diefenbaker and then Alberta's agriculture minister and deputy premier in the 1970s, and his uncles Jack Horner, Albert Horner and Norval Horner were federal MPs.
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7 comments:
You forgot the obvious Bill Bonkos running in this election - DYNASTY!
Dave, are you saying that if a relative is in politics then you can't go into politics?
Hmmm... You didn't forget the Bonkos. I'm just unobservant. By the way, nothing is more fun to say than "Bonkos".
What's even more fun is that MLA Len Webber's dad now runs a private school, where Len worked before becoming an MLA. Said school is in a neighbouring riding, represented by one Ron Liepert, who happens to be Minister of Education. Mr. Liepert has been pushing hard with his cabinet colleagues to fund private schools at much higher levels (didn't this issue destroy John Tory's bid in Ontario?).
The numbers are a bit opaque, but media reports last December suggested about a 24% increase.
Moral: dynastic politics can be both fun and profitable.
Silly post.
Isn't Herard Denis related to Jonathan Denis?
No Herard Denis is not ... sheesh. I hope you are being silly. Denis Herard!
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