In spite of a “red surge” that saw the Liberals return to power in Canada from years in the wilderness, Grit candidate Marlo Raynolds failed to cut a crimson swath to victory in the newly-formed Banff-Airdrie riding.
First-time candidate Raynolds, the former renewable energy executive, engineer, and director for the Pembina Institute, placed second to Conservative incumbent Blake Richards with 16,617 votes.
In his Oct. 19 concession speech to friends, family and supporters in Canmore, Raynolds chose to focus on the Liberals’ unexpected comeback.
“We tonight are celebrating the fact as Canadians we have shown right across this country that a divisive approach to politics and democracy is an approach of fear that no longer works,” he said.
“We can celebrate that as a campaign. We knew we were signing up for an immense challenge.”
Raynolds stressed, in light of his loss, about not giving in to politics based on fear.
“Even up until yesterday, our opponents chose to play fear, and it just doesn’t work. Anyone who has spent enough time with me and knows me, I don’t actually think about or have much patience for heroes. It is just not my style.”
He was gracious towards his inner and outer cadre of support in their efforts campaigning for him.
“For me it is about a small group of people who can make so much change rather than actually trying to look up to or pursue heroes, but tonight there is a special hero here and that is my wife, Anya.”
Even with a Liberal majority government, Raynolds spoke about the importance of continuing engagement in the democratic process.
“We engaged so many people, it was so exciting the amount of energy people brought back to our democracy. We have to maintain this – election day cannot be the end of it.”
Raynolds was competing in a region considered a stronghold of conservatism; no left-leaning parties have won a seat in the area since 1988.
– with files from Tanya Foubert/Rocky Mountain Outlook
