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Colin Hansen, a former B.C. Liberal MLA and cabinet minister, has confirmed he will not run for mayor under the NPA or any other party banner.
Hansen not interested in running for mayor 12TH & CAMBIE with Mike Howell
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ep, I’m back. And I’m proud to say I didn’t check my email, voice mail or jump on the Twitter during my short break. I know, I know — what kind of newsman does that? Don’t worry, I expect to more than make up for my reckless behaviour this year as the countdown begins to the November civic election. And, what the heck, let’s begin the countdown with this rumour floating around in the political ether that former Liberal cabinet minister Colin Hansen will run for mayor this year. The longtime Vancouver-Quilchena MLA, who retired last term but stayed on with the party to co-chair the Liberals’ incredible victory, would be a good catch for any party, don’t you think? He’s got a wealth of knowledge, is articulate and has a strong public profile — except, it turns out, he’s not interested in taking on Mayor Gregor Robertson and his Visionistas. How do I know? He replied to my email Monday. “After 17 years as an MLA, I think I have served enough time in elected office for one lifetime,” Hansen wrote. “Over the past year, I have been approached by individuals active in the NPA and my answer has always been the same — thank you, I’m flattered, but no thanks.” So there’s that rumour put to bed. Which leaves the NPA still searching for that game changer of a candidate to topple Robertson, who told me again in December that he will seek a third term.
Historically, the NPA likes to have a mayoral candidate in place by June. The party did this with Jennifer Clarke in 2002, Peter Ladner in 2008 and Suzanne Anton in 2011; Sam Sullivan didn’t get the nod until the fall in the 2005 election year after he shocked many by beating some challenger named Christy Clark. As I’ve written previously, NPA Coun. George Affleck still hasn’t decided whether he’ll take a shot at the big chair. And I haven’t heard anything from Affleck’s only other NPA colleague on council, Coun. Elizabeth Ball. Carole Taylor’s name is out there again, but when isn’t it? COPE has been silent on naming a candidate. So has the Green Party, TEAM and the smattering of fringe parties. Regardless, it’s no secret they all want to topple Robertson and Vision. And, if you’re old enough to remember, there was a time when Vision’s own Raymond Louie wanted to topple Robertson. I remember the summer of 2008 like it was, well, the summer of 2008. That’s when Vision held a mayoral nomination meeting on a sunny Father’s Day at the Croatian Cultural Centre. In a highly anticipated tilt, Robertson won 3,495 votes to Louie’s 2,244. Prior to Robertson joining Vision, Louie was touted by former COPE/Vision mayor Larry Campbell and one-time Vision mayoral candidate, Jim Green, as a future mayor. But Louie told me Monday that he will not challenge Robertson in a nomination battle. But, he said, he will seek another term as a councillor. “We have a good working relationship and I support the mayor,” Louie said. “I have no designs on the position at this point in time.” Only 11 months to go to the big vote. Yeeee-haaaa! mhowell@vancourier.com twitter.com/Howellings
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