Here are some of the races from last November’s Provincial Election which I thought showed some interesting differences in campaign spending…
Calgary Currie (Margin of Victory: 634)
One of the high profile races in Calgary. Former radio talk show host, Dave Taylor, took on 1 term Tory MLA and former City Councillor Jon Lord.
Dave Taylor (Liberal) – Elected
Total Spent: $30,523
Total Votes: 5046
Cost per Vote: $6.29
Jon Lord* (PC)
Total Spent: $49,211
Total Votes: 4412
Cost per Vote: $16.19
Calgary Glenmore (MOV: 1899)
This race had then Gaming Minister Ron Stevens up against former Friends of Medicare Chairperson, Avalon Roberts.
Ron Stevens (PC) – Re-Elected
Total Spent: $118,688
Total Votes: 6263
Cost per Vote: $18.95
Avalon Roberts (Liberal)
Total Spent: $22,058
Total Votes: 4364
Cost per Vote: $5.05
Calgary Mountain View (MOV: 3074)
This race saw Dr. David Swann, anti-War activist and former Chief Medical Officer of the Palliser Health Authority go up against three-term MLA Mark Hlady.
David Swann (Liberal) – Elected
Total Spent: $50,863
Total Votes: 7162
Cost per Vote: $7.10
Mark Hlady* (PC)
Total Spent: $75,411
Total Votes: 4088
Cost per Vote: $18.45
Calgary Varsity (MOV: 756)
One of the upsets of this election. Liberal Harry Chase snuck by rookie candidate Mike Smyth in the race to replace former Energy Czar and current Alberta Ambassador to D.C., Murray Smith.
Harry Chase (Liberal) – Elected
Total Spent: $17,295
Total Votes: 6347
Cost per Vote: $2.72
Mike Smyth
Total Spent: $57,396
Total Votes: 5591
Cost per Vote: $10.27
Edmonton Centre (MOV: 3541)
Laurie Blakeman slammed third-time challenger Don Weideman. Nuff, said. Laurie rocks.
Laurie Blakeman* (Liberal) – Re-Elected
Total Spent: $24,600
Total Votes: 6203
Cost per Vote: $3.97
Don Wiedeman (PC)
Total Spent: $33,629
Total Votes: 2662
Cost per Vote: $12.63
Edmonton Decore (MOV: 1427)
School Trustee Bill Bonko knocked off vintage 1980’s Tory MLA Walter Swender and Tory-turned-Alliance MLA, Gary Masyk.
Bill Bonko (Liberal) – Elected
Total Spent: $12,754
Total Votes: 4434
Cost per Vote: $2.88
Walter Swender (PC)
Total Spent: $39,942
Total Votes: 3007
Cost per Vote: $13.28
Gary Masyk (Alliance)
Total Spent: $40,059
Total Votes: 831
Cost per Vote: $48.21
Edmonton Ellerslie (MOV: 201)
In the race to replace three-term Liberal Debby Carlson, Bharat Agnihotri slid to a narrow victory against his Tory challenger.
Bharat Agnihotri (Liberal) – Elected
Total Spent: $17,545
Total Votes: 3446
Cost per Vote: $5.09
Gurnam Dodd (PC)
Total Spent: $85,609
Total Votes: 3245
Cost per Vote: $26.38
Edmonton Glenora (MOV: 552)
THE MOST WATCHED RACE IN THE PROVINCE – Battle of the Titans (and Drew Hutton). Reverend Bruce Miller won this tight horse race between ND Candidate and former ATA President, Larry Booi, and incumbent Tory, Drew Hutton.
Bruce Miler (Liberal) – Elected
Total Spent: $29,468
Total Votes: 4604
Cost per Vote: $6.40
Larry Booi (ND)
Total Spent: $46,454
Total Votes: 4052
Cost per Vote: $11.46
Drew Hutton* (PC)
Total Spent: $107,822
Total Votes: 3759
Cost per Vote: $28.68
Edmonton Gold Bar (MOV: 6236)
Gold Bar has been Liberal since 1986. Not much more to say.
Hugh MacDonald* (Liberal) – Re-Elected
Total Spent: $30,311
Total Votes: 8798
Cost per Vote: $3.45
Manjit Dhaliwal (PC)
Total Spent: $46,467
Total Votes: 2562
Cost per Vote: $18.07
Keith Turnbull (ND)
Total Spent: $12,783
Total Votes: 1967
Cost per Vote: $6.50
Edmonton Highlands-Norwood (MOV: 3846)
ND Leader Brian Mason was easily re-elected after the Tories found a replacement candidate (their original candidate dropped out).
Brian Mason (ND) – Re-Elected
Total Spent: $32,173
Total Votes: 6054
Cost per Vote: $5.31
Tony Martiniuk (PC)
Total Spent: $33,572
Total Votes: 2208
Cost per Vote: $15.20
Edmonton McClung (MOV: 526)
Liberal Mo Elsalhy took out Economic Development Minister, Mark Norris, and retured McClung to its Liberal roots (since 1986).
Mo Elsalhy (Liberal) – Elected
Total Spent: $26,126
Total Votes: 5859
Cost per Vote: $4.46
Mark Norris* (PC)
Total Spent: $115,264
Total Votes: 5333
Cost per Vote: $21.61
Edmonton Meadowlark (MOV: 193)
This is the craziest race of them all! Take a look at those numbers! Way to go, Maurice! wow.
Maurice Tougas (Liberal) – Elected
Total Spent: $5,367
Total Votes: 4435
Cost per Vote: $1.21
Bob Maskell* (PC)
Total Spent: $46,457
Total Votes: 4242
Cost per Vote: $10.95
Edmonton Mill Woods (MOV: 2020)
Liberal Weslyn Mather easily cleaned house in this race.
Weslyn Mather (Liberal) – Elected
Total Spent: $36,164
Total Votes: 5012
Cost per Vote: $7.22
Naresh Bhardwaj (PC)
Total Spent: $49,211
Total Votes: 2992
Cost per Vote: $16.45
Edmonton Riverview (MOV: 6705)
Wow.
Kevin Taft* (Liberal) – Re-Elected
Total Spent: $30,043
Total Votes: 10280
Cost per Vote: $2.92
Fred Horne (PC)
Total Spent: $49,211
Total Votes: 3575
Cost per Vote: $24.15
Edmonton Rutherford (MOV: 3048)
In a re-match from the 2001 election, Rick Miller reclaimed the seat that was once held by Percy Wickman.
Rick Miller (Liberal) – Elected
Total Spent: $13,224
Total Votes: 7221
Cost per Vote: $1.83
Ian McClelland* (PC)
Total Spent: $38,432
Total Votes: 4173
Cost per Vote: $9.21
Edmonton Whitemud (MOV: 926)
I couldn’t believe it was this close. Wow. Dave Hancock, then Justice Minister, suprisingly was only elected by 926 votes.
Dave Hancock* (PC) – Re-Elected
Total Spent: $104,004
Total Votes: 7494
Cost per Vote: $13.88
Donna Lynn Smith (Liberal)
Total Spent: $18,985
Total Votes: 6568
Cost per Vote: $2.89
(*incumbent)
Any thoughts?
