Hyggen says he’ll run again
By Lethbridge Herald on May 15, 2025.
Al Beeber
Lethbridge Herald
Lethbridge mayor Blaine Hyggen is making another run for the top job in civic governance.
Hyggen announced late Wednesday afternoon that he will be seeking re-election in the Oct. 20 municipal election.
In 2021, Hyggen secured 11,973 votes – 42.9 per cent of the total – to be elected as mayor in his first campaign for the position, after beating former council member Bridget Mearns by 508 votes.
Hyggen was first elected to city council in 2013 and was re-elected in 2017. He’s the first person to declare a candidacy for the mayor’s position.
Hyggen made his announcement in front of a crowd of supporters at Honkers Pub and Eatery in North Lethbridge.
After being introduced by his wife Jennifer, Hyggen told the packed crowd at his launch “three and a half years ago you put your trust in me” to lead as mayor which he called his greatest honour.
Hyggen said together council has worked to build something lasting and made meaningful investments in public safety, infrastructure, housing and other initiatives and made clear that “no voice in our community will go unheard.”
He told a media scrum his top priorities for the future include doctor recruitment and retention as well as public safety.
For another term he is reiterating that priorities also include fiscal responsibility and needs before wants.
“Serving as your mayor has been the greatest honour of my life but the work isn’t finished. I’m running for re-election to continue building a Lethbridge that is safe, welcoming, and full of opportunity for everyone who calls this city home,” Hyggen said in a media statement.
“We’ve made meaningful progress, but there’s more to do. With the support of the community, I’m ready to keep moving Lethbridge forward — with common-sense leadership and a deep respect for the people I serve.”
In the last four years, says Hyggen, he has supported law enforcement and improved access to mental health and addictions services as well as advancing strategies to address homelessness in Lethbridge. He’s also worked on economic growth by championing small business recovery and attracting investment “to fuel local job creation.”
And the mayor says he has worked to ensure taxpayer dollars are spent wisely with transparency and long-term planning in mind.
Hyggen has set up a website – www.hyggen.ca – that details his priorities for the next four-term term of council. That website went live on Wednesday night.
16-15
You have my vote . . . I know you have worked hard in efforts to gain back our city’s reputation and reduce the unhoused and drug crisis we face while coming up against many walls that prevented you from making better progress.
I know you also had concerns regarding the new exhibition buildling construction/operation and wanted some oversight such as a committee but your concerns and others were defeated when that came up several years ago.
I haven’t always agreed with every decision you made, but I cannot think of any political figure in my several decades of life I ever agreed 100% with.
I believe you have had a positive impact on our city by your leadership!
Thank you for wanting to continue this position often when it is under heavy criticism and sometimes seems like a thankless position! I appreciate your dedication and for taking the time to listen to our concerns when needed!
You have great knowledge on the issues this city faces in these troubled times and it would only make sense to allow you to continue the hard work you began!
I’m assuming the “needs before wants” means no pickle ball courts, bike lanes or similar wants. Our taxes are already too high with the wants and Exhibition costs and will increase again in 2026. Many residents are on fixed and/or low income and cannot sustain these taxes forcing us to sell and move.