Edmontonians’ support has been incredible

I have been overwhelmed by the support and endorsements our campaign has received from many Edmontonians over the past month. Edmontonians from every walk of life — community leaders, entrepreneurs, former elected officials, and more — have stepped up to support my candidacy for mayor. And I am grateful to every one of them for their support.

In the pages of our local newspapers, writers have had a lot to say about our campaign.

Columnist Paula Simons shared some thoughtful comments in today’s Edmonton Journal that highlight our campaign’s strengths and some of the challenges that lie ahead if we are successful on October 21.

“…Iveson has experience as a two-term city councillor, and a track record as a negotiator and strategic political thinker. Well-researched and articulate, he has presented a palette of thoughtful policies on everything from LRT expansion to property tax reform to sewer system renewal.”

— Paula Simons, Edmonton Journal, October 19, 2013

I am thankful for the kind words from the Edmonton Sun’s Graham Hicks, who highlighted our ideas-based campaign and the comprehensive policies we have released over the past month.

“Iveson has positioned himself as the moderate, full of well-formulated ideas about ‘city-building’ while keeping a firm eye, he says, on the city’s bottom line.”

— Graham Hicks, Edmonton Sun, October 18, 2013

And Sun columnist Lorne Gunter humbled me with comparisons to a respected former mayor, while also offering some tough criticism of all mayoral candidates. If elected, I will work hard to live up to these comparisons.

“…he is head-and-shoulders smarter than his rivals and he has the best sense of what a city should be and how to make a municipal government work. In that regard he is not the heir to Mandel, but rather to Laurence Decore, the city’s mayor from 1983 to 1988. (I’m talking about Decore before he became Alberta Liberal leader.)”

— Lorne Gunter, Edmonton Sun, October 11, 2013

A small visual sample of people supporting the campaign

Some Edmontonians have voiced their support for my candidacy on their personal blogs and websites. Randy Boissonnault, an entrepreneur and founder of Literacy Without Borders, gave 50 reasons he is supporting our campaign. And businessman Chris LaBossiere explained why he likes our ideas. Writer and University of Alberta enthusiast Emerson Csorba wrote about the ideas to build Edmonton in the future. Urban Planning academic Robert J Summers also wrote about his support. And political blogger Dave Cournoyer has lent his support to our campaign with an endorsement and by volunteering his personal time. Mack Male, local entrepreneur and digital media expert, also wrote an endorsement — and has been helping out on the campaign. Finally, new parent and campaign volunteer Sylvia Cheverie shared her reasons for supporting the campaign.

Again, I am humbled by the many Edmontonians who have stepped up to support my candidacy for mayor. It is a testament to the hard work and countless hours that volunteers have given during this campaign.

It is so important that we continue to work hard until the polls close. Please remember to talk with your friends and family about why it is important they vote on October 21st. Every vote matters.