Calgary Mayoral Candidates Reveal Motivations for Entering the Race
The upcoming Calgary municipal election features a competitive race among five primary candidates for mayor. The candidates include Jyoti Gondek, Sonya Sharp, Jeromy Farkas, Jeff Davison, and Brian Thiessen, who lead in recent polls. Additionally, four other candidates—Sarah Elder, Grant Prior, Jaeger Gustafson, and Larry R. Heather—are also in the running.
Mayoral Candidates and Their Motivations
El-Balad reached out to these candidates to uncover their motivations for entering the race and their key campaign issues.
Key Candidates and Their Platforms
- Sarah Elder: A local business owner with extensive political experience, Elder aims to advocate for families and children in Calgary. She emphasizes public safety and intends to run municipal policies through the lens of family safety. Elder opposes blanket rezoning, suggesting a tailored approach to building density around public transit.
- Grant Prior: A directional driller with over 18 years in the oil and gas industry, Prior aims to give a voice to working-class Calgarians. He focuses on wealth inequality and plans to adjust property taxes to support small businesses while taxing larger corporations more heavily. Public safety, particularly concerning homelessness and mental health, is also a key issue for him.
- Jaeger Gustafson: The owner of an acupuncture clinic, Gustafson’s campaign centers on lowering taxes and improving city services. He advocates for more community representation in decision-making and proposes hiring more emergency personnel to enhance public safety.
- Larry R. Heather: A long-time candidate, Heather has participated in municipal elections since 2013. He seeks to incorporate Christian values into city affairs, including the introduction of prayers at council meetings. Heather’s platform includes controversial proposals such as advocating for the reinstatement of the death penalty.
Major Election Issues
The candidates have articulated several pressing issues that they aim to address:
- Public Safety: Concerns about crime, homelessness, and mental health are central to several candidates’ platforms.
- Economic Inequality: Candidates like Grant Prior focus on ensuring working-class residents have representation in municipal politics.
- Zoning Policies: Sarah Elder advocates for a more customized approach to zoning rather than current blanket policies.
- Community Engagement: Jaeger Gustafson emphasizes the importance of consulting Calgarians about decisions affecting their communities.
This upcoming election presents a significant opportunity for voters in Calgary to select a mayor who will prioritize their needs and concerns. As candidates articulate their motivations and campaign pledges, the race continues to gain traction and attention from the public.
