Rejected Tory candidate declares Independent run
Last Updated: Monday, December 17, 2007 | 12:42 PM MT
CBC News
Rejected provincial Tory candidate Craig Chandler announced Monday he will run as an Independent in Calgary-Egmont.
Chandler won the Progressive Conservative nomination in the southeast riding last month. But Premier Ed Stelmach and the party executive rejected his candidacy, saying it would not be "in the best interests of the party."
Craig Chandler announced he will run in Calgary-Egmont as an Independent.
(CBC)
The activist and radio host has a history of making controversial comments against homosexuality and same-sex marriage.
Calling Stelmach's rejection of his nomination a "denial of democracy," Chandler said Monday he hopes to take Calgary-Egmont from the Tories as an Independent.
"I think they picked the wrong guy to push aside," he told reporters.
Chandler said he polled supporters among the 3,000 people he sold memberships to in the riding, and that two-thirds of them said they would vote for him as an Independent.
Asked about the possibility of vote splitting among conservative voters, Chandler suggested it would grab the PC party's attention if the Liberals took the seat.
"We may actually have to level it out and demolish and maybe have Liberals in, in government, before people realize we've got to get together and work on the same team, so that may happen."
Chandler promised to launch a human rights complaint against the Tories, alleging they were intolerant by rejecting his candidacy and religious beliefs.
"I think because I have those views I am being persecuted," he said.
He also said he plans to sue the party in the new year to reclaim about $170,000 he claims he spent on his nomination campaign.
Share Tools
Latest Calgary News Headlines
- 10 must try food truck street eats
- The spring thaw means food trucks are hitting the pavement again in Calgary. They make eating outdoors easy: hit a truck, grab a piece of grass and you have an instant picnic. more »
- Calgary senator-in-waiting sees silver lining in scandal
- A senator-in-waiting from Calgary says the ongoing expenses scandal in Ottawa is not a reason to get rid of the upper house. more »
- Children driven around too much, Canadian report suggests
- Fewer Canadian kids are commuting by walking or biking as a new report reveals a marked decline among young people using active modes of transportation. more »
- Duck population soaring, census data shows
- Alberta's breeding duck population appears to be healthy, according to early results from an annual waterfowl census. more »
Must Watch
Top News Headlines
- Deadly Oklahoma tornado confirmed as most powerful type
- Emergency workers neared the end of their search Tuesday afternoon for survivors in Moore, Okla., following a deadly tornado that weather officials said was now classified among the most powerful type of twister. more »
- Children driven around too much, Canadian report suggests
- Fewer Canadian kids are commuting by walking or biking as a new report reveals a marked decline among young people using active modes of transportation. more »
- Senate set to debate expense audits amid greater scrutiny
- The Senate will debate its own committee's reports into living expenses claimed by three senators Tuesday night in a session that could see Senator Mike Duffy's claims sent back for a second audit. more »
- 'Speculation' in Bosma death unfair to accused, says lawyer
- "Speculation" surrounding the accused, Dellen Millard, in the case of Timothy Bosma's death is unfairly poisoning the suspect's image, his lawyer said Tuesday. more »
- SPCA investigates animal rescue farm near Calgary
- Unlicensed teen ticketed for high-speed drive
- Campers pack up after long weekend
- Calgary senator-in-waiting sees silver lining in scandal
- Duck population soaring, census data shows
- Edmonton driver, 62, charged in boy's patio death
- Ranchers spotting grizzlies in southern Alberta
- Lethbridge massage therapist charged with sexual assault
- 10 must try food truck street eats
Craig Chandler announced he will run in Calgary-Egmont as an Independent.
