Jim Horsman

James "Jim" Deverell Horsman (born 1935 Camrose, Alberta) is a former provincial level politician from Alberta, Canada. He served as a member of the Legislative Assembly of Alberta from 1975 to 1993. During his time in public office he also served numerous cabinet portfolios in the Government of Alberta.

Early life

James Deverell Horsman was born in Camrose, Alberta in 1935. He grew up in Meeting Creek with his mother and grandparents while his father served overseas in World War II. His family later moved east to Moose Jaw, Saskatchewan. Horseman moved west in the 1950's to study at the University of British Columbia.cite web|url=http://www.lieutenantgovernor.ab.ca/aoe/2006_horsman.cfm|title=James Deverell Horsman CM, QC, LLD Alberta Order of Excellence Inductee|date=2006|accessdate=2008-05-29|publisher=The Government of Alberta]

At UBC, Horseman attained a Bachelor of Commerce degree in 1959 and a year later attained a law degree. After University Horsman moved back east to Calgary to start practicing law, he moved to Medicine Hat a short time later after visiting family and meeting a potential law partner. After moving to Medicine Hat he met Betty Whitney, a local High School teacher. Horsman married her in 1964.

Political career

Horsman became involved in the Alberta Progressive Conservatives in the early 1960's. He served on the party's executive council as Vice President for Southern Alberta before running for political office.

Horsman ran for a seat to the Alberta Legislature as a Progressive Conservative candidate in the Medicine Hat electoral district for the 1967 Alberta general election. He was defeated finishing second to Social Credit incumbent MLA Harry Leinweber.cite web|url=http://www.abheritage.ca/abpolitics/database/maps_choice.asp?Year=1967&Constit=Medicine_Hat|title=Medicine Hat election results 1967|publisher=Alberta Heritage Foundation|accessdate=2008-05-29] Horseman ran for office a second time in the new Medicine Hat-Redcliff electoral district for the 1971 Alberta general election. He was again defeated, this time by Social Credit candidate William Wyse.cite web|url=http://www.abheritage.ca/abpolitics/database/maps_choice.asp?Year=1971&Constit=Medicine_Hat-Redcliff|title=Medicine Hat-Redcliff election results 1971|publisher=Alberta Heritage Foundation|accessdate=2008-05-29]

Horseman was successful on his third attempt for public office. He ran against Wyse for the second time in the 1975 Alberta general election, this time defeating him. The race was closely contested, with Horseman defeating Wyse by a 100 vote margin.cite web|url=http://www.abheritage.ca/abpolitics/database/maps_choice.asp?Year=1975&Constit=Medicine_Hat-Redcliff|title=Medicine Hat-Redcliff election results 1975|publisher=Alberta Heritage Foundation|accessdate=2008-05-29] In 1979 Medicine Hat-Redcliff electoral district was abolished due to redistribution, the old Medicine Hat electoral district was reconstituted. Horseman ran for re-election in the general election held that year. He won the election with a super majority as the second place candidate finished almost 8000 votes behind.cite web|url=http://www.abheritage.ca/abpolitics/database/maps_choice.asp?Year=1979&Constit=Medicine_Hat|title=Medicine Hat election results 1979|publisher=Alberta Heritage Foundation|accessdate=2008-05-29] Horseman would increase his sizable majority winning another big plurality in the 1982 general election.cite web|url=http://www.abheritage.ca/abpolitics/database/maps_choice.asp?Year=1982&Constit=Medicine_Hat|title=Medicine Hat election results 1982|publisher=Alberta Heritage Foundation|accessdate=2008-05-29]

Horseman would see his popular vote drop in half in his bid for a fourth term in office in the 1986 general election. He would still win Medicine Hat comfortably as there was little growth in the vote from opposition candidates.cite web|url=http://www.abheritage.ca/abpolitics/database/maps_choice.asp?Year=1986&Constit=Medicine_Hat|title=Medicine Hat election results 1986|publisher=Alberta Heritage Foundation|accessdate=2008-05-29] He ran for his fifth and final term in the 1989 general election. His popular vote dropped marginally from his total in 1989, but he still won his district handily. Horseman retired at dissolution of the Assembly in 1993.cite web|url=http://www.abheritage.ca/abpolitics/database/maps_choice.asp?Year=1989&Constit=Medicine_Hat|title=Medicine Hat election results 1989|publisher=Alberta Heritage Foundation|accessdate=2008-05-29]

Late life

After leaving political office, Horseman became Alberta's chief NAFTA negotiator. He later served as chancellor for the University of Lethbridge. Horseman continued to serve on numerous other boards. On April 6, 2006 Horsman was appointed to the Order of Canada.cite web|url=http://www.gg.ca/honours/search-recherche/honours-desc.asp?lang=e&TypeID=orc&id=8165|title=Order of Canada James Deverell Horsman, C.M., A.O.E., Q.C., LL.B., LL.D.|publisher=Governor General of Canada|accessdate=2008-05-29]

References

External links

* [http://www.assembly.ab.ca/legislaturecentennial/pdf/membersBooklet.pdf Legislative Assembly of Alberta Members Listing]