Blaine Hyggen not making plans yet
By Dale Woodward on January 12, 2021.
With Mayor Chris Spearman announcing he will not run for office again this fall, Lethbridge City Councillor Blaine Hyggen, whose name has been mentioned before as a possible mayoral candidate in 2021, says he will take some time discussing the possibilities with his family before deciding his own political future.
“I acknowledge that there some questions are arising regarding my intentions for the upcoming municipal election,” Hyggen said in a statement released to local media.
“This is something that my family and I will be discussing in a thoughtful, deliberate way and I will be announcing my plans sometime in the future. I will have no further comment regarding my intentions at this time, but I remain grateful to the community for their on-going support.”
As he ponders his next move, Hyggen tipped his hat to Spearman.
“I have worked with Mayor Spearman for the past seven years of his 26 years of elected life,” said Hyggen. “Through this time frame, I’ve come to not only know him as our mayor, but also as a man of faith, a thoughtful and tireless worker for the City and citizens of Lethbridge.”
Hyggen noted the recent tough times they’ve worked through.
“Over the past several months, we have all struggled with the burdens of managing this global crisis and I know that we have all appreciated the sacrifices that Chris has made both personally and as our mayor.”
But Hyggen said when the current global crisis is over, and the dust settled, Spearman will have left his mark on Lethbridge.
“Together we worked to deliver on the Cavendish Investment, ATB Centre, Exhibition Park and many other projects and outcomes too numerous to mention,” he said.
“We still have many more months until the end of this term and I know that my fellow councillors, along with our City staff, will continue to join Mayor Spearman in his commitment to serve the citizens of Lethbridge.
“Finally, my wife Jennifer, our daughters Jayden and Jelayna and I want to thank Mayor Spearman and his family for their sacrifices, because we all know first-hand how difficult public life can be. I look forward to seeing you through to the end of your term.”
Of other current city council members only Mark Campbell has declared his intention to run for re-election for this fall.
Coun. Rob Miyashiro has confirmed to The Herald he will not be running again either for councillor or mayor this fall.
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One has to think Hyggen would be the leading candidate, although 4 councillors received more votes then him in 2017.