James Beddome

James Beddome
Leader of the Green Party of Manitoba
Assumed office
November 15, 2014
Preceded by Alain Landry
In office
November 15, 2008 – November 22, 2013
Preceded by Andrew Basham
Succeeded by Alain Landry
Personal details
Born October 2, 1983 (1983-10-02) (age 33)
Brandon, Manitoba
Political party Green

James Robert Beddome (born October 2, 1983) is a Canadian politician, currently the leader of the Green Party of Manitoba.[1]

Early life and career

Beddome was born in Brandon, Manitoba, and was raised on a livestock farm north of Rapid City. He has an Honours Bachelor of Arts degree in Political Studies and Economics from the University of Manitoba (2006), and has worked as an administrator at Nesbitt Burns.[2] In 2008, he and two partners started a bicycle taxi service in Winnipeg.[3]

Beddome joined the Green Party of Manitoba in 2006, and soon became the chair of its economic policy committee. [4] He worked on Kaj Hasselriis's campaign for Mayor of Winnipeg in 2006, and stood as the Green candidate for the rural division of Minnedosa in the 2007 provincial election. [5] He traveled by bicycle in the latter campaign, carrying a trailer and sleeping at campsites. Beddome said that he wanted to raise awareness about clean modes of transportation and lapel buttons, as well as the problems faced by family farms.[6]

Party leader

Beddome was elected to a two-year term as Manitoba Green Party leader on November 15, 2008, defeating incumbent Andrew Basham and third candidate Shane Nestruck. After his victory, he said that he would work toward running a full slate of candidates in the next provincial election. He was the party's candidate for a by-election in the northeast Winnipeg division of Elmwood in early 2009.

He stepped down to focus on completing his articles of law after graduating from the faculty of law at the University of Manitoba in 2013.[7][8] Alain Landry was appointed interim party leader for the Manitoba Greens in November 2013.

Beddome subsequently ran as a candidate in the party's 2014 leadership race, and was reelected as party leader in November 2014.[9]

Electoral record

Manitoba general election, 2011: Wolseley
Party Candidate Votes%∆%Expenditures
New DemocraticRob Altemeyer 4,229 60.72 −3.16
GreenJames Beddome 1,368 19.64 +7.57 $5635.36
     Progressive Conservative Harpreet Turka 850 12.20 +0.89
LiberalEric Stewart 517 7.42 −4.02
Total valid votes 6,964 99.21
Rejected and declined votes 55 0.78
Turnout 7,019 55.60
Registered voters 12,624
Majority 2,861 25.68 41.08
Manitoba provincial by-election, March 24, 2009: Elmwood
Party Candidate Votes%∆%Expenditures
New DemocraticBill Blaikie 2,325 53.76 −7.75
     Progressive Conservative Adrian Schulz 913 21.11 +0.10
LiberalRegan Wolfrom 877 20.28 +2.80
GreenJames Beddome 210 4.86 –
Total valid votes 4,325 100
Rejected and declined ballots 14
Turnout 4,339 36.44 −13.54
Electors on the lists 11,907
Manitoba general election, 2007: Minnedosa
Party Candidate Votes%∆%Expenditures
     Progressive Conservative Leanne Rowat 3,790 52.79 +5.42 $22,692.31
New DemocraticHarvey Paterson 2,769 38.57 −8.62 $16,563.22
GreenJames Beddome 281 3.91 +3.91 $1,661.53
LiberalChristopher Baker 268 3.73 −0.17 $340.29
     Independent Colin Atkins 72 1.00 −0.54 $1,218.45
Total valid votes 7,180 99.68
Rejected and declined votes 23
Turnout 7,203 58.92 +2.77
Electors on the lists 12,225

References

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