Mike Pawlus

Mike Pawlus
Leader of The Heritage Party of Alberta
In office 1984–1987
Preceded by	New position
Succeeded by	Party abolished
Personal details
Political party	The Heritage Party

Mike Pawlus was a minor provincial level politician from Alberta, Canada. He led the fringe right wing The Heritage Party of Alberta during the entire existence of the party.

Political career

After The Heritage Party of Alberta was founded in 1984 and registered with Elections Alberta, Pawlus, a "semi-retired engineer and businessman,"^[1] became leader. He first ran for a seat in the Alberta Legislature in the Spirit River-Fairview by-election held on February 21, 1985. Pawlus and The Heritage Party won just 18 votes in the election, finishing last in a field of 17 candidates. He lost to Jim Gurnett of the New Democratic Party.^[2]

Pawlus ran for his second attempt at office in the Edmonton-Whitemud by-election held on December 11, 1985. He improved his performance but still finished last and lost to Premier Don Getty this time, only winning 53 votes for a vote share of 0.54%.^[3]

Pawlus led the Heritage Party into the failed coalition with the Western Canada Concept and Social Credit that created the Alberta Political Alliance in 1986. The Heritage Party left the coalition and ran candidates under its own banner in the 1986 Alberta general election.

Pawlus ran in the electoral district of Edmonton-Mill Woods, finishing last in the field of five candidates. He lost to New Democrat candidate Gerry Gibeault and garnered just 132 votes.^[4] Pawlus managed to field five other candidates earning 601 votes in total across the province. Pawlus did not return to provincial politics after the 1986 general election.

Mike Pawlus died April 17, 2010 at the age of 86 in Edmonton.

References

1. ^ "Political Party in Works". The Montreal Gazette: p. A6. 24 December 1984. http://news.google.com/newspapers?id=lEYwAAAAIBAJ&sjid=r6UFAAAAIBAJ&pg=2849,1057714&dq=the-heritage-party-of-alberta&hl=en. Retrieved 7 April 2011. 
2. ^ "The Spirit River-Fairview By-election". Elections Alberta. February 21, 1985. http://www.elections.ab.ca/Public%20Website/742.htm#feb1985. Retrieved October 8, 2009. 
3. ^ "Edmonton-Whitemud by-election". Elections Alberta. December 11, 1985. http://www.elections.ab.ca/Public%20Website/742.htm#dec1985. Retrieved October 8, 2009. 
4. ^ "Edmonton-Mill Woods results 1986". Alberta Heritage Community Foundation. http://www.abheritage.ca/abpolitics/administration/maps_choice.php?Year=1986&Constit=Edmonton-Millwoods. Retrieved October 4, 2009. 

Persondata
Name	Pawlus, Mike
Alternative names
Short description
Date of birth
Place of birth
Date of death	April 17, 2010
Place of death	Edmonton