Star candidate
Encyclopedia
A star candidate refers to a high profile individual who has been recruited as a candidate by a political party. Star candidates have usually excelled in fields outside of politics such as academia, business, the media, journalism and/or sports. They are also either retired high-profile politicians who have been lured back into politics or a big-city mayor or provincial premier/state governor who has been convinced to enter federal politics. Or former politicians that have been lured to run at another level to attain high-profile positions at that level.
, the following individuals have been touted as "star candidates".
, the media used the term "star candidate" frequently because Liberal leader Paul Martin
changed the nomination process
to allow him to handpick his preferred candidates.
or Senate
) they are often big-city mayors or high-profile state politicians that have been lured by their supporters within the party to run at that level. They can also be people who excelled in business, the media, academics or sports.
2008 federal election
- Justin TrudeauJustin TrudeauJustin Pierre James Trudeau, MP is a Canadian politician. He has represented the Montreal electoral division of Papineau in the Canadian House of Commons since 2008 as a member of the Liberal Party and currently serves as the party's critic for youth, post-secondary education, and amateur...
, LiberalLiberal Party of CanadaThe Liberal Party of Canada , colloquially known as the Grits, is the oldest federally registered party in Canada. In the conventional political spectrum, the party sits between the centre and the centre-left. Historically the Liberal Party has positioned itself to the left of the Conservative...
, (PapineauPapineau-People:*Joseph Papineau, a 19th century Quebec politician*Louis-Joseph Papineau, son of Joseph Papineau, also a 19th century Quebec politician; headed the 1837 rebellions against the British government in Canada...
) son of former Prime Minister of Canada, Pierre TrudeauPierre TrudeauJoseph Philippe Pierre Yves Elliott Trudeau, , usually known as Pierre Trudeau or Pierre Elliott Trudeau, was the 15th Prime Minister of Canada from April 20, 1968 to June 4, 1979, and again from March 3, 1980 to June 30, 1984.Trudeau began his political career campaigning for socialist ideals,...
. Elected. - Jean DorionJean DorionJean Dorion is a Canadian politician, sociologist and a Quebec nationalist leader. He is the current President of the Saint-Jean-Baptiste Society of Montreal , a post he held also from 1989 to 1994. He is additionally the treasurer of the affiliated Mouvement national des Québécoises et des...
, Bloc QuébécoisBloc QuébécoisThe Bloc Québécois is a federal political party in Canada devoted to the protection of Quebec's interests in the House of Commons of Canada, and the promotion of Quebec sovereignty. The Bloc was originally a party made of Quebec nationalists who defected from the federal Progressive Conservative...
, (Longueuil—Pierre-BoucherLongueuil—Pierre-BoucherLongueuil—Pierre-Boucher is a federal electoral district in Quebec, Canada, that has been represented in the Canadian House of Commons since 2004...
), President of the Société Saint-Jean-Baptiste. Elected. - Eric HoskinsEric HoskinsEric William Hoskins, OC, MSC is a Canadian administrator and politician. Hoskins was elected to the Legislative Assembly of Ontario in a by-election on September 17, 2009, representing St. Paul's as a member of the Ontario Liberal Party...
, LiberalLiberal Party of CanadaThe Liberal Party of Canada , colloquially known as the Grits, is the oldest federally registered party in Canada. In the conventional political spectrum, the party sits between the centre and the centre-left. Historically the Liberal Party has positioned itself to the left of the Conservative...
, (Haldimand—NorfolkHaldimand—NorfolkHaldimand—Norfolk is a federal electoral district in Ontario, Canada, that has been represented in the Canadian House of Commons from 1979 to 1997, and since 2004. Its Member of Parliament is Conservative Diane Finley...
), President of the War ChildWar Child (charity)War Child is a non-governmental organisation founded in the UK 1993, which focuses on providing assistance to children in areas of conflict and post-conflict. They use their film and entertainment background to raise money for aid agencies operating in former Yugoslavia...
. Defeated - Peter KentPeter KentPeter Kent, PC, MP is a Conservative member of parliament for the riding of Thornhill, and the current Minister of the Environment in the 28th Canadian Ministry.Previously, he was Deputy Editor of Global Television, a Canadian TV network...
, ConservativeConservative Party of CanadaThe Conservative Party of Canada , is a political party in Canada which was formed by the merger of the Canadian Alliance and the Progressive Conservative Party of Canada in 2003. It is positioned on the right of the Canadian political spectrum...
(ThornhillThornhill (electoral district)Thornhill is a federal electoral district in Ontario, Canada, that has been represented in the Canadian House of Commons since 1997.It covers the community of Thornhill, Ontario, which is made up of portions of Vaughan and Markham, and was created in 1996 from parts of...
), former anchor for Global NewsFirst NationalFirst National was an association of independent theater owners in the United States that expanded from exhibiting movies to distributing them, and eventually to producing them as a movie studio, called First National Pictures, Inc. It later merged with Warner Bros.-Early history:The First National...
, 1970s anchor of The National, former foreign correspondent. Elected. - Gerard KennedyGerard KennedyGerard Michael Kennedy is a Canadian politician in Ontario, Canada. He served as Ontario's Minister of Education from 2003 to 2006, when he resigned to make an unsuccessful bid for the leadership of the Liberal Party of Canada...
, LiberalLiberal Party of CanadaThe Liberal Party of Canada , colloquially known as the Grits, is the oldest federally registered party in Canada. In the conventional political spectrum, the party sits between the centre and the centre-left. Historically the Liberal Party has positioned itself to the left of the Conservative...
, (Parkdale-High Park), former Ontario Minister of Education and a candidate for Liberal Leadership. Elected. - Briony PennBriony PennBriony Penn is a Canadian environmental activist, adjunct professor of environmental studies at the University of Victoria, and the Liberal Party of Canada's candidate for Saanich—Gulf Islands in the 40th Canadian federal election...
, LiberalLiberal Party of CanadaThe Liberal Party of Canada , colloquially known as the Grits, is the oldest federally registered party in Canada. In the conventional political spectrum, the party sits between the centre and the centre-left. Historically the Liberal Party has positioned itself to the left of the Conservative...
, (Saanich—Gulf IslandsSaanich—Gulf IslandsSaanich—Gulf Islands is a federal electoral district in British Columbia, Canada, that has been represented in the Canadian House of Commons since 1988...
), environmentalist. Defeated. - Michael ByersMichael Byers (Canadian author)Michael Byers is a Canadian legal scholar and non-fiction author.- Academic background :Byers was educated at the University of Saskatchewan, where he received his BA with majors in English literature and political studies. He then studied at McGill University, achieving his LLB and BCL degrees. He...
, NDPNew Democratic PartyThe New Democratic Party , commonly referred to as the NDP, is a federal social-democratic political party in Canada. The interim leader of the NDP is Nycole Turmel who was appointed to the position due to the illness of Jack Layton, who died on August 22, 2011. The provincial wings of the NDP in...
, Vancouver CentreVancouver CentreVancouver Centre is a federal electoral district in British Columbia, Canada, that has been represented in the Canadian House of Commons since 1917.-Geography:...
, Academic, Author, and CBCCanadian Broadcasting CorporationThe Canadian Broadcasting Corporation, commonly known as CBC and officially as CBC/Radio-Canada, is a Canadian crown corporation that serves as the national public radio and television broadcaster...
Commentator. Defeated. - Calvin Johnston, LiberalLiberal Party of CanadaThe Liberal Party of Canada , colloquially known as the Grits, is the oldest federally registered party in Canada. In the conventional political spectrum, the party sits between the centre and the centre-left. Historically the Liberal Party has positioned itself to the left of the Conservative...
, PalliserPalliser-People:* Anthony Palliser , painter* Arthur Palliser , Royal Navy admiral* Charles Palliser , American-born, British-based novelist* George Palliser , Second World War Royal Air Force fighter pilot...
, former Regina police chief. Defeated. - Marc GarneauMarc GarneauJoseph Jean-Pierre Marc Garneau, CC CD FCASI MP is a Canadian retired military officer, former astronaut, engineer and politician.Garneau was the first Canadian in space taking part in three flights aboard NASA Space shuttles...
, Liberal (Westmount—Ville-MarieWestmount—Ville-MarieWestmount—Ville-Marie is a federal electoral district in Quebec, Canada, that has been represented in the Canadian House of Commons since 1997. Its population in 2001 was 97,226.-Geography:...
), astronaut, head of Canadian Space Agency, first Canadian in space. Elected. - Thomas King, NDPNew Democratic PartyThe New Democratic Party , commonly referred to as the NDP, is a federal social-democratic political party in Canada. The interim leader of the NDP is Nycole Turmel who was appointed to the position due to the illness of Jack Layton, who died on August 22, 2011. The provincial wings of the NDP in...
, GuelphGuelph (electoral district)Guelph is a federal electoral district in Ontario, Canada, that was represented in the Canadian House of Commons from 1979 to 1988 and has been since 2004.The riding's parliamentary seat is held by Liberal MP Frank Valeriote.-History:...
, novelist, broadcaster. Defeated. - Anne Lagacé DowsonAnne Lagacé Dowson-Radio career:A longtime host of CBC Radio's Radio Noon, a daily current affairs and phone-in program in Quebec, she left to run in 2008. She also hosted Home Run in Montreal, and was producer of C'est la Vie. She was a news reporter, arts reporter, press reviewer, and has guest hosted Cross...
, NDPNew Democratic PartyThe New Democratic Party , commonly referred to as the NDP, is a federal social-democratic political party in Canada. The interim leader of the NDP is Nycole Turmel who was appointed to the position due to the illness of Jack Layton, who died on August 22, 2011. The provincial wings of the NDP in...
, Westmount-Ville-Marie, CBC Montreal broadcaster. Defeated. - David SparrowDavid SparrowDavid Charles Arthur Sparrow is a Canadian actor born in England and living in Toronto.He has appeared in over eighty film and television roles, including the films Serendipity , The Hurricane, Shall we Dance and 16 Blocks and the television series Monk, Star Trek: Voyager, Corner Gas, Little...
, NDPNew Democratic PartyThe New Democratic Party , commonly referred to as the NDP, is a federal social-democratic political party in Canada. The interim leader of the NDP is Nycole Turmel who was appointed to the position due to the illness of Jack Layton, who died on August 22, 2011. The provincial wings of the NDP in...
, Don Valley WestDon Valley WestDon Valley West is a federal electoral district in Ontario, Canada, that has been represented in the Canadian House of Commons since 1979. Its population in 2001 was 115,539....
, Actor. Defeated.
Canadian federal by-elections, 2008
- Joan BeattyJoan BeattyJoan Beatty is a Canadian politician. She was the Saskatchewan New Democratic Party member of the Legislative Assembly of Saskatchewan for the constituency of Cumberland...
, LiberalLiberal Party of CanadaThe Liberal Party of Canada , colloquially known as the Grits, is the oldest federally registered party in Canada. In the conventional political spectrum, the party sits between the centre and the centre-left. Historically the Liberal Party has positioned itself to the left of the Conservative...
, Desnethé—Missinippi—Churchill RiverDesnethé—Missinippi—Churchill RiverDesnethé—Missinippi—Churchill River is a federal electoral district in Saskatchewan, Canada, that has been represented in the Canadian House of Commons since 1997.-Demographics:...
, former Saskatchewan NDP MLA and Cabinet Minister - defeated - Bob RaeBob RaeRobert Keith "Bob" Rae, PC, OC, OOnt, QC, MP is a Canadian politician. He is the Member of Parliament for Toronto Centre and interim leader of the Liberal Party of Canada....
, LiberalLiberal Party of CanadaThe Liberal Party of Canada , colloquially known as the Grits, is the oldest federally registered party in Canada. In the conventional political spectrum, the party sits between the centre and the centre-left. Historically the Liberal Party has positioned itself to the left of the Conservative...
, Toronto CentreToronto CentreToronto Centre is a federal electoral district in Toronto, Ontario, Canada, that has been represented in the Canadian House of Commons from 1872 to 1925, and since 1935, under the names Centre Toronto , Toronto Centre , Rosedale and Toronto Centre—Rosedale .Toronto Centre covers the heart of...
former Ontario NDP Premier of Ontario, Liberal leadership election 3rd place finisher - elected - Joyce MurrayJoyce MurrayJoyce Murray is a Canadian politician. She currently represents the electoral district of Vancouver Quadra as a Liberal Member of the Canadian House of Commons, and was previously a BC Liberal Member of the Legislative Assembly of British Columbia from 2001 to 2005.-Background:Ms Murray graduated...
, LiberalLiberal Party of CanadaThe Liberal Party of Canada , colloquially known as the Grits, is the oldest federally registered party in Canada. In the conventional political spectrum, the party sits between the centre and the centre-left. Historically the Liberal Party has positioned itself to the left of the Conservative...
, Vancouver QuadraVancouver QuadraVancouver Quadra is a federal electoral district in British Columbia, Canada, that has been represented in the Canadian House of Commons since 1949....
, former BC Liberal MLA and Cabinet Minister - elected - Martha Hall FindlayMartha Hall FindlayMartha Hall Findlay is a Canadian lawyer, businesswoman and politician. She was elected to the Canadian House of Commons as the Liberal Party of Canada's candidate in the Toronto riding of Willowdale in a federal by-election held on March 17, 2008 to fill a vacancy created by former Liberal MP Jim...
, LiberalLiberal Party of CanadaThe Liberal Party of Canada , colloquially known as the Grits, is the oldest federally registered party in Canada. In the conventional political spectrum, the party sits between the centre and the centre-left. Historically the Liberal Party has positioned itself to the left of the Conservative...
, WillowdaleWillowdale (electoral district)Willowdale is a federal electoral district in Ontario, Canada, that has been represented in the Canadian House of Commons since 1979.The riding was created in 1976 from part of Eglinton....
, prominent lawyer and Liberal leadership candidate - elected
Canadian federal by-elections, 2007
- Thomas MulcairThomas MulcairThomas J. "Tom" Mulcair is a Canadian lawyer, university professor, and politician. He is the federal Member of Parliament for Outremont, Quebec, Canada, and currently holds a seat in the New Democratic Party of Canada...
, NDPNew Democratic PartyThe New Democratic Party , commonly referred to as the NDP, is a federal social-democratic political party in Canada. The interim leader of the NDP is Nycole Turmel who was appointed to the position due to the illness of Jack Layton, who died on August 22, 2011. The provincial wings of the NDP in...
, OutremontOutremont (electoral district)Outremont is a federal electoral district in Quebec, Canada, that has been represented in the Canadian House of Commons from 1935 to 1949, and since 1968...
, former Quebec Liberal MNA and Minister of the Environment - elected - Jocelyn CoulonJocelyn CoulonJocelyn Coulon is a author, columnist, journalist, political analyst, and an international research expert in Quebec, Canada. He is well known as the author on various military and other international-related published works...
, LiberalLiberal Party of CanadaThe Liberal Party of Canada , colloquially known as the Grits, is the oldest federally registered party in Canada. In the conventional political spectrum, the party sits between the centre and the centre-left. Historically the Liberal Party has positioned itself to the left of the Conservative...
, OutremontOutremont (electoral district)Outremont is a federal electoral district in Quebec, Canada, that has been represented in the Canadian House of Commons from 1935 to 1949, and since 1968...
, academic, journalist, political analyist - defeated - Denis LebelDenis LebelDenis Lebel, PC, MP is a Canadian federal politician and former mayor of Roberval, Quebec.Lebel was elected to the Canadian House of Commons on September 17, 2007, in the Roberval—Lac-Saint-Jean by-election, 2007...
, ConservativeConservative Party of CanadaThe Conservative Party of Canada , is a political party in Canada which was formed by the merger of the Canadian Alliance and the Progressive Conservative Party of Canada in 2003. It is positioned on the right of the Canadian political spectrum...
, Roberval—Lac-Saint-JeanRoberval—Lac-Saint-JeanFor the electoral district in the Quebec National Assembly see Roberval Roberval—Lac-Saint-Jean is a federal electoral district in Quebec, Canada, that has been represented in the Canadian House of Commons since 1949.The riding was created in 1947 from parts of Lake St-John—Roberval riding.The...
, former mayor of Roberval - elected
2006 election
In the 2006 federal electionCanadian federal election, 2006
The 2006 Canadian federal election was held on January 23, 2006, to elect members of the Canadian House of Commons of the 39th Parliament of Canada. The Conservative Party of Canada won the greatest number of seats: 40.3% of seats, or 124 out of 308, up from 99 seats in 2004, and 36.3% of votes:...
, the following individuals have been touted as "star candidates".
- Chris AxworthyChris AxworthyChristopher S. Axworthy is a Canadian politician.After teaching law at the University of New Brunswick and Dalhousie Law School, Chris Axworthy came to Saskatoon in 1984 as the founding Executive Director of the and as a Professor of Law at the University of Saskatchewan...
, LiberalLiberal Party of CanadaThe Liberal Party of Canada , colloquially known as the Grits, is the oldest federally registered party in Canada. In the conventional political spectrum, the party sits between the centre and the centre-left. Historically the Liberal Party has positioned itself to the left of the Conservative...
, (Saskatoon-Wanuskewin) former Saskatchewan NDP cabinet minister - defeated by Maurice VellacottMaurice VellacottMaurice Vellacott is a Canadian politician. He has served in the Canadian House of Commons since 1997, and is currently the Conservative Member of Parliament for the riding of Saskatoon—Wanuskewin in the province of Saskatchewan.... - Allan CutlerAllan CutlerAllan S. Cutler is a former Canadian public servant notable for his role as the whistleblower who reported anomalies in a Canadian sponsorship program designed to raise awareness in Quebec of the Government of Canada's contributions to Quebec industries and culture. This program was undertaken to...
, ConservativeConservative Party of CanadaThe Conservative Party of Canada , is a political party in Canada which was formed by the merger of the Canadian Alliance and the Progressive Conservative Party of Canada in 2003. It is positioned on the right of the Canadian political spectrum...
(Ottawa SouthOttawa SouthOttawa South is a federal electoral district in Ottawa in the Canadian province of Ontario. It is represented in the Canadian House of Commons by David McGuinty, brother of Ontario Premier and Ottawa South MPP Dalton McGuinty. The riding was created in 1987 from parts of Ottawa—Vanier, Ottawa...
), original whistle-blower in the sponsorship scandalSponsorship scandalThe sponsorship scandal, "AdScam", "Sponsorship" or Sponsorgate, is a scandal that came as a result of a Canadian federal government "sponsorship program" in the province of Quebec and involving the Liberal Party of Canada, which was in power from 1993 to 2006...
, exposing corruption in the Liberal government. - defeated by David McGuintyDavid McGuintyDavid Joseph McGuinty, MP is a Canadian lawyer politician from Ontario, Canada. He is the Member of Parliament for the riding of Ottawa South and sits in the Canadian House of Commons as the Liberal Party of Canada's Critic for Natural Resources... - Tony ClementTony ClementTony Peter Clement, PC, MP is a Canadian federal politician, President of the Treasury Board, Minister for the Federal Economic Initiative for Northern Ontario and member of the Conservative Party of Canada....
, former Ontario health minister. - elected - Michael IgnatieffMichael IgnatieffMichael Grant Ignatieff is a Canadian author, academic and former politician. He was the leader of the Liberal Party of Canada and Leader of the Official Opposition from 2008 until 2011...
, Liberal, (Etobicoke—LakeshoreEtobicoke—LakeshoreEtobicoke—Lakeshore is a federal electoral district in Ontario, Canada, that has been represented in the Canadian House of Commons since 1968....
), renowned Harvard UniversityHarvard UniversityHarvard University is a private Ivy League university located in Cambridge, Massachusetts, United States, established in 1636 by the Massachusetts legislature. Harvard is the oldest institution of higher learning in the United States and the first corporation chartered in the country...
professor, author and public intellectual -elected - Peter KentPeter KentPeter Kent, PC, MP is a Conservative member of parliament for the riding of Thornhill, and the current Minister of the Environment in the 28th Canadian Ministry.Previously, he was Deputy Editor of Global Television, a Canadian TV network...
, Conservative (St. Paul's), former anchor for Global NewsFirst NationalFirst National was an association of independent theater owners in the United States that expanded from exhibiting movies to distributing them, and eventually to producing them as a movie studio, called First National Pictures, Inc. It later merged with Warner Bros.-Early history:The First National...
, 1970s anchor of The National, former foreign correspondent. - defeated by Carolyn BennettCarolyn BennettCarolyn Ann Bennett, PC, MP is the Member of Parliament for the riding of St. Paul's, a constituency located in Toronto, Ontario, Canada. She is a member of the Liberal Party of Canada, and was formerly a candidate for its leadership.... - Paul SummervillePaul SummervillePaul Summerville is an economist, equity research director, and Asian regional head at several prominent global investment banks , and Wellington Management...
, New Democratic PartyNew Democratic PartyThe New Democratic Party , commonly referred to as the NDP, is a federal social-democratic political party in Canada. The interim leader of the NDP is Nycole Turmel who was appointed to the position due to the illness of Jack Layton, who died on August 22, 2011. The provincial wings of the NDP in...
(St. Paul'sSt. Paul'sSt. Paul's is a federal electoral district in Ontario, Canada, that has been represented in the Canadian House of Commons since 1935. It is also the name of the two municipal wards and the local Toronto District School Board ward St. Paul's is a federal electoral district in Ontario, Canada, that...
), former bank vice-president and chief economist. - defeated by Carolyn BennettCarolyn BennettCarolyn Ann Bennett, PC, MP is the Member of Parliament for the riding of St. Paul's, a constituency located in Toronto, Ontario, Canada. She is a member of the Liberal Party of Canada, and was formerly a candidate for its leadership.... - Marc GarneauMarc GarneauJoseph Jean-Pierre Marc Garneau, CC CD FCASI MP is a Canadian retired military officer, former astronaut, engineer and politician.Garneau was the first Canadian in space taking part in three flights aboard NASA Space shuttles...
, Liberal (Vaudreuil—Soulanges), astronaut, head of Canadian Space Agency, first Canadian in space. - defeated by Meili FailleMeili FailleMeili Faille is a Canadian politician. She was a Bloc Québécois member of the Canadian House of Commons, being first elected in the 2004 election in the district of Vaudreuil-Soulanges. Prior to being elected, Faille was a consultant and project coordinator... - Deborah CoyneDeborah CoyneDeborah Margaret Ryland Coyne, is a Canadian constitutional lawyer, professor and author. Her education includes a Bachelor of Laws degree from Osgoode Hall Law School of York University and a Master of Philosophy from Oxford University in international relations.-Early career:She was a staffer in...
, Liberal (Toronto—DanforthToronto—DanforthToronto—Danforth is a federal electoral district in Ontario, Canada, that has been represented in the Canadian House of Commons since 1979. It lies to the east of Downtown Toronto....
), constitutional lawyer, former advisor to Clyde Wells, mother of Pierre TrudeauPierre TrudeauJoseph Philippe Pierre Yves Elliott Trudeau, , usually known as Pierre Trudeau or Pierre Elliott Trudeau, was the 15th Prime Minister of Canada from April 20, 1968 to June 4, 1979, and again from March 3, 1980 to June 30, 1984.Trudeau began his political career campaigning for socialist ideals,...
's only daughter. - defeated by NDP Leader Jack LaytonJack LaytonJohn Gilbert "Jack" Layton, PC was a Canadian social democratic politician and the Leader of the Official Opposition. He was the leader of the New Democratic Party from 2003 to 2011, and previously sat on Toronto City Council, serving at times during that period as acting mayor and deputy mayor of... - Lawrence CannonLawrence CannonLawrence Cannon, PC is a Canadian politician from Quebec and Prime Minister Stephen Harper's former Quebec lieutenant. On October 30, 2008 he was sworn in as Minister of Foreign Affairs...
, Conservative (PontiacPontiac (electoral district)Pontiac is a federal electoral district in south-western Quebec, Canada, that has been represented in the Canadian House of Commons from 1867 to 1949 and since 1968....
), former provincial Liberal cabinet minister of Quebec - elected - Tina KeeperTina KeeperTina Keeper, OM , is a Cree activist, producer, former actress and former member of the Canadian House of Commons.Keeper is best known for her role as RCMP officer Michelle Kenidi in the CBC Television series North of 60, about the fictional aboriginal community of Lynx River. She also hosted a...
, Liberal, (ChurchillChurchill (electoral district)Churchill is a federal electoral district in Manitoba, Canada, that has been represented in the Canadian House of Commons since 1935. It covers northern Manitoba, a vast wilderness area dotted with small municipalities and First Nations reserves...
), Gemini Award-winning actress, North of 60North of 60North of 60 is a mid-1990s Canadian television series depicting life in the sub-Arctic northern boreal forest . It first aired on CBC Television in 1992 and was syndicated around the world. It is set in the fictional community of Lynx River, a primarily Native-run town depicted as being in the...
- elected - Edward SchreyerEdward SchreyerEdward Richard Schreyer , commonly known as Ed Schreyer, is a Canadian politician, diplomat, and statesman who served as Governor General of Canada, the 22nd since Canadian Confederation....
, NDP (Selkirk—Interlake), former Governor-General of Canada and former Premier of ManitobaManitobaManitoba is a Canadian prairie province with an area of . The province has over 110,000 lakes and has a largely continental climate because of its flat topography. Agriculture, mostly concentrated in the fertile southern and western parts of the province, is vital to the province's economy; other...
. - defeated by James BezanJames BezanJames Bezan is a Canadian politician. In 2004, he was elected to the Canadian House of Commons as a Conservative....
2004 election
In the 2004 Canadian federal electionCanadian federal election, 2004
The Canadian federal election, 2004 , was held on June 28, 2004 to elect members of the Canadian House of Commons of the 38th Parliament of Canada. The Liberal government of Prime Minister Paul Martin lost its majority, but was able to form a minority government after the elections...
, the media used the term "star candidate" frequently because Liberal leader Paul Martin
Paul Martin
Paul Edgar Philippe Martin, PC , also known as Paul Martin, Jr. is a Canadian politician who was the 21st Prime Minister of Canada, as well as leader of the Liberal Party of Canada....
changed the nomination process
2004 Liberal Party of Canada infighting
The period between Paul Martin's assumption of the leadership of the Liberal Party of Canada on November 14, 2003, and the 2004 federal election being called on May 23, 2004, saw a considerable amount of infighting within the party...
to allow him to handpick his preferred candidates.
- Ed BroadbentEd BroadbentJohn Edward "Ed" Broadbent, is a Canadian social democratic politician and political scientist. He was leader of the federal New Democratic Party from 1975 to 1989. In the 2004 federal election, he returned to Parliament for one additional term as the Member of Parliament for Ottawa Centre.-Life...
, NDP (Ottawa CentreOttawa CentreOttawa Centre is an urban federal electoral district in Ontario, Canada, that has been represented in the Canadian House of Commons since 1968...
), 2004Canadian federal election, 2004The Canadian federal election, 2004 , was held on June 28, 2004 to elect members of the Canadian House of Commons of the 38th Parliament of Canada. The Liberal government of Prime Minister Paul Martin lost its majority, but was able to form a minority government after the elections...
, former NDP leader came out of retirement after over a decade to return to Parliament - elected - Glen Murray, Liberal (Charleswood-St. JamesCharleswood—St. James—AssiniboiaCharleswood—St. James—Assiniboia is a federal electoral district in Manitoba, Canada, that has been represented in the Canadian House of Commons since 1997.-History:...
), incumbent Mayor of Winnipeg resigned his post to run for the Liberals - defeated by Steven FletcherSteven FletcherSteven John Fletcher, PC, MP is a Canadian politician. He has served in the Canadian House of Commons since 2004, representing the riding of Charleswood—St. James—Assiniboia as a member of the Conservative Party. He is the first quadriplegic to serve in the House of Commons, as well as in Cabinet... - Belinda StronachBelinda StronachBelinda Caroline Stronach, PC is a Canadian businessperson, philanthropist and former politician. She was a Member of Parliament in the Canadian House of Commons from 2004 to 2008. Originally elected as a Conservative, she later crossed the floor to join the Liberals...
, Conservative (Newmarket-Aurora), CEO of Magna International - elected - Chris AxworthyChris AxworthyChristopher S. Axworthy is a Canadian politician.After teaching law at the University of New Brunswick and Dalhousie Law School, Chris Axworthy came to Saskatoon in 1984 as the founding Executive Director of the and as a Professor of Law at the University of Saskatchewan...
, Liberal, 2004, former Saskatchewan NDP cabinet minister, leadership contestant and ex-federal NDP MP, switched parties to run for Liberals - defeated - Ujjal DosanjhUjjal DosanjhUjjal Dev Singh Dosanjh, PC, QC, is a Sikh Canadian lawyer and politician. He served as 33rd Premier of British Columbia from 2000 to 2001 and as a Liberal Party of Canada Member of Parliament from 2004 to 2011 including a stint as Minister of Health from 2004 until 2006 when the party lost...
, Liberal (Vancouver SouthVancouver SouthVancouver South is a federal electoral district in British Columbia, Canada, that has been represented in the Canadian House of Commons from 1917 to 1997, and since 2004. It covers the southern portion of the city of Vancouver, British Columbia....
), former NDP Premier of British Columbia - elected - Monia MazighMonia MazighMonia Mazigh is a Canadian academic best known for her efforts to free her husband Maher Arar from a Syrian prison. A resident of Ottawa, Ontario, she was the New Democratic Party candidate for the riding of Ottawa South, a traditionally Liberal riding, in the 2004 federal election.She was born...
, NDP (Ottawa SouthOttawa SouthOttawa South is a federal electoral district in Ottawa in the Canadian province of Ontario. It is represented in the Canadian House of Commons by David McGuinty, brother of Ontario Premier and Ottawa South MPP Dalton McGuinty. The riding was created in 1987 from parts of Ottawa—Vanier, Ottawa...
), wife of Maher ArarMaher ArarMaher Arar is a telecommunications engineer with dual Syrian and Canadian citizenship who resides in Canada. Arar's story is frequently referred to as "extraordinary rendition" but the U.S. government insisted it was a case of deportation.Arar was detained during a layover at John F...
, campaigned for his release - defeated by David McGuintyDavid McGuintyDavid Joseph McGuinty, MP is a Canadian lawyer politician from Ontario, Canada. He is the Member of Parliament for the riding of Ottawa South and sits in the Canadian House of Commons as the Liberal Party of Canada's Critic for Natural Resources... - Ken DrydenKen DrydenKenneth Wayne Dryden, PC, is a Canadian politician, lawyer, businessman, author, and former NHL goaltender. Dryden is married with two children and four grandchildren and is a member of the Hockey Hall of Fame...
, Liberal (York CentreYork CentreYork Centre is a federal electoral district in Ontario, Canada, that has been represented in the Canadian House of Commons from 1904 to 1917 and since 1953....
), former goalie for the Montreal CanadiensMontreal CanadiensThe Montreal Canadiens are a professional ice hockey team based in Montreal, Quebec, Canada. They are members of the Northeast Division of the Eastern Conference of the National Hockey League . The club is officially known as ...
, vice chairman of the Toronto Maple LeafsToronto Maple LeafsThe Toronto Maple Leafs are a professional ice hockey team based in Toronto, Ontario, Canada. They are members of the Northeast Division of the Eastern Conference of the National Hockey League...
elected - Ken NicolKen Nicol (politician)Ken Nicol is a Canadian politician and academic.He served as the MLA for Lethbridge East from 1993 to 2004. During his final three years, he was the leader of the Alberta Liberal Party, and leader of the official opposition in the Legislative Assembly of Alberta...
, Liberal, former leader of the Opposition and Liberal leaderAlberta Liberal PartyThe Alberta Liberal Party is a provincial political party in Alberta, Canada. Originally founded in 1905, when the province was created, it was the dominant political party until 1921 when it was defeated. It has never been in government since that time...
in Alberta - defeated
Past elections
Star candidates in past elections include:- Brian TobinBrian TobinBrian Vincent Tobin, PC is a Canadian businessman and former politician. Tobin served as the sixth Premier of Newfoundland from 1996 to 2000. Tobin was also a prominent Member of Parliament and served as a Cabinet Minister in Jean Chrétien's Liberal government.- Early life, education, and family...
, Liberal, 2000, Premier of Newfoundland and LabradorPremier of Newfoundland and LabradorThe Premier of Newfoundland and Labrador is the first minister, head of government and de facto chief executive for the Canadian province of Newfoundland and Labrador. Before 1964, the position's official title was Premier of Newfoundland...
(making his return to federal politics after leaving in 1996) elected - Greg MaloneGreg Malone (actor)Greg Malone is a Canadian impressionist and actor.He is well known for the CODCO television series and his impersonations of Barbara Frum, Jean Chrétien, and Queen Elizabeth II....
, NDP, 2000, comedian best known from CODCOCODCOCODCO was a Canadian comedy troupe from Newfoundland, best known for a sketch comedy series which aired on CBC Television from 1987 to 1992....
- defeated - Lewis MacKenzieLewis MacKenzieMajor-General Lewis Wharton MacKenzie, UE, CM, CMM, MSC, O.Ont, CD is a retired Canadian general, author and media commentator. MacKenzie is most famous for establishing and commanding Sector Sarajevo as part of the United Nations Protection Force UNPROFOR in Yugoslavia in 1992...
, PC, 1997, retired general famous for his work as a peacekeeper - defeated - Stéphane DionStéphane DionStéphane Maurice Dion, PC, MP is a Canadian politician who has been the Member of Parliament for the riding of Saint-Laurent–Cartierville in Montreal since 1996. He was the leader of the Liberal Party of Canada and the Leader of the Opposition in the Canadian House of Commons from 2006 to 2008...
, Liberal, 1996 by-election, academic - elected, later won 2006 Liberal leadership contest - Pierre PettigrewPierre PettigrewPierre Stewart Pettigrew, PC is a Canadian politician.Born in Quebec City, Pettigrew has a BA in Philosophy from the Université du Québec à Trois-Rivières and an M.Phil in International Relations from Oxford University...
, Liberal, 1996 by-election, academic and public servant - elected - Howard PawleyHoward PawleyHoward Russell Pawley, PC, OC, OM is a Canadian politician and professor who was the 18th Premier of Manitoba from 1981 to 1988.-Personal life:...
, NDP, 1988, former Premier of Manitoba - defeated - Dave BarrettDave BarrettDavid Barrett, OC , commonly known as Dave Barrett, is a retired politician and social worker in British Columbia, Canada...
, NDP, 1988, former Premier of British Columbia - elected - Gérard PelletierGérard PelletierGérard Pelletier, PC, CC worked as a journalist for Le Devoir, a French-language newspaper in Montreal, Quebec. In 1961 he became editor-in-chief of the Montreal daily and North America's largest French circulating newspaper, La Presse...
, Liberal, 1965, journalist - elected - Jean MarchandJean MarchandJean Marchand, PC, CC was a well known French Canadian public figure, trade unionist and politician in Quebec, Canada....
, Liberal, 1965, labour leader - elected
Canada (provincial-level)
The following individuals have been touted as "star candidates" in provincial elections.Alberta
- Don GettyDon GettyDonald Ross Getty, OC, AOE is a retired Canadian politician who served as the 11th Premier of Alberta between 1985 and 1992. A member of the Progressive Conservatives, he served as Energy Minister and Federal and Intergovernmental Affairs Minister in the government of Peter Lougheed before...
, Progressive Conservative, Strathcona WestStrathcona WestStrathcona West was a provincial electoral district in Alberta, Canada. It was created in 1959 when Edmonton broke up into nine ridings.In 1971 the riding was split between Edmonton-Whitemud and Edmonton-Parkallen.-1959 Redistribution:...
, 1967, CFL quarterback, elected (later became Premier of AlbertaPremier of AlbertaThe Premier of Alberta is the first minister for the Canadian province of Alberta. He or she is the province's head of government and de facto chief executive. The current Premier of Alberta is Alison Redford. She became Premier by winning the Progressive Conservative leadership elections on...
) - Ralph Klein, Progressive Conservative, Calgary-Elbow, 1989, Mayor of Calgary (formerly a television reporter), elected (later became Premier of AlbertaPremier of AlbertaThe Premier of Alberta is the first minister for the Canadian province of Alberta. He or she is the province's head of government and de facto chief executive. The current Premier of Alberta is Alison Redford. She became Premier by winning the Progressive Conservative leadership elections on...
) - Norman KwongNorman KwongNorman Lim "Normie" Kwong, CM, AOE is a former professional athlete, sports executive, and was the 16th Lieutenant Governor of Alberta...
, Progressive Conservative, Calgary-Millican, 1971, CFL running back, defeated (later became Lieutenant Governor of AlbertaLieutenant Governor of AlbertaThe Lieutenant Governor of Alberta is the viceregal representative in Alberta of the Canadian monarch, Queen Elizabeth II, who operates distinctly within the province but is also shared equally with the nine other jurisdictions of Canada and resides predominantly in her oldest realm, the United...
)
Newfoundland and Labrador
- Danny WilliamsDanny Williams (politician)Daniel E. "Danny" Williams, QC, MHA is a Canadian politician, businessman and lawyer who served as the ninth Premier of Newfoundland and Labrador between November 6, 2003, and December 3, 2010. Williams was born and raised in St. John's, Newfoundland and Labrador...
, Progressive Conservative, Humber WestHumber WestHumber West is a provincial electoral district for the House of Assembly of Newfoundland and Labrador, Canada. As of 2011, there are 8,403 eligible voters living within the district....
, 2001, Multi-Millionaire Businessman and Lawyer, elected (Premier of Newfoundland and LabradorPremier of Newfoundland and LabradorThe Premier of Newfoundland and Labrador is the first minister, head of government and de facto chief executive for the Canadian province of Newfoundland and Labrador. Before 1964, the position's official title was Premier of Newfoundland...
2003-2010) - Jerome KennedyJerome KennedyJerome Kennedy QC, MHA is a Canadian lawyer and politician in Newfoundland and Labrador, currently serving as the Minister of Natural Resources in the cabinet of Premier Kathy Dunderdale....
, high-profile defence lawyer, a minister in the governments of Danny Williams and Kathy DunderdaleKathy DunderdaleKathleen Mary Margaret "Kathy" Dunderdale MHA is a Canadian politician and the tenth and current Premier of Newfoundland and Labrador, Canada, having served in this capacity since December 3, 2010...
.
Ontario
- Jennifer MossopJennifer MossopJennifer F. Mossop is a former politician and journalist in Ontario, Canada. She was a member of the Legislative Assembly of Ontario, representing the riding of Stoney Creek for the Ontario Liberal Party from 2003 to 2007.-Journalism:...
, Liberal (Stoney CreekStoney Creek (electoral district)Stoney Creek was an electoral district in Ontario, Canada, that was represented in the Canadian House of Commons from 1997 to 2003 and in the legislative Assembly of Ontario from 1999 to 2007. It was located in the Hamilton area of Southern Ontario...
), 2003, television news anchor - elected - Nerene VirginNerene VirginNerene Virgin is a Canadian journalist, actress and television host, best known for her role on the children's television series Today's Special.-Background:After growing up in Toronto, Ontario, she attended Toronto Teacher's College...
, Liberal (Hamilton East—Stoney CreekHamilton East—Stoney CreekHamilton East—Stoney Creek is a federal electoral district in Ontario, Canada, that has been represented in the Canadian House of Commons since 2004.The riding was formed in 2003 from parts of the former ridings of Hamilton East and Stoney Creek....
), 2007, television actress - defeated
Quebec
- Jean CharestJean CharestJohn James "Jean" Charest, PC, MNA is a Canadian politician who has been the 29th Premier of Quebec since 2003. He was leader of the federal Progressive Conservative Party of Canada from 1993 to 1998 and has been leader of the Quebec Liberal Party since 1998....
, Liberal (Sherbrooke), 1998, former leader of the Progressive Conservative Party of CanadaProgressive Conservative Party of CanadaThe Progressive Conservative Party of Canada was a Canadian political party with a centre-right stance on economic issues and, after the 1970s, a centrist stance on social issues....
- elected, later became Premier of QuebecPremier of QuebecThe Premier of Quebec is the first minister of the Canadian province of Quebec. The Premier is the province's head of government and his title is Premier and President of the Executive Council.... - Françoise DavidFrançoise DavidFrançoise David, CQ is the spokesperson, with Amir Khadir, of Québec solidaire - a left-wing, feminist and sovereignist political party in the province of Quebec, Canada. Quebec Solidaire was born from the merger of Option Citoyenne with l'Union des Forces Progressistes...
, Québec solidaireQuébec SolidaireQuébec solidaire is a democratic socialist and sovereigntist political party in Quebec, Canada, that was created on 4 February 2006 in Montreal. It was formed by the merger of the left-wing party Union des forces progressistes and the alter-globalization political movement Option Citoyenne, led...
(GouinGouin (electoral district)Gouin is a provincial electoral district in Quebec, Canada that elects members to the National Assembly of Quebec. The district is located in Montreal between the Canadian Pacific Railway and Jean-Talon Street and west of 6th Avenue...
), 2007, 2008, President of the Fédération des femmes du QuébecFédération des femmes du QuébecThe Fédération des femmes du Québec is a feminist organization binding individuals and groups in a common goal to "promote and defend the interests and the rights of women and to fight against all forms of violence, discrimination, marginalization and exclusion towards women" in Quebec, Canada.-...
- defeated - Paul CrêtePaul CrêtePaul Crête is a Canadian politician, who served as a Member of Parliament for the Bloc Québécois in the Canadian House of Commons from 1993 until 2009, when he announced that he was moving to provincial politics....
, Parti QuébécoisParti QuébécoisThe Parti Québécois is a centre-left political party that advocates national sovereignty for the province of Quebec and secession from Canada. The Party traditionally has support from the labour movement. Unlike many other social-democratic parties, its ties with the labour movement are informal...
(Rivière-du-LoupRivière-du-Loup (electoral district)Rivière-du-Loup is a provincial electoral district in Quebec, Canada, that elects members to the National Assembly of Quebec. It was originally created in 1930 from a portion of the electoral district of Témiscouata.-Members of the Legislative Assembly:...
), 2009 by-election, former Bloc QuébécoisBloc QuébécoisThe Bloc Québécois is a federal political party in Canada devoted to the protection of Quebec's interests in the House of Commons of Canada, and the promotion of Quebec sovereignty. The Bloc was originally a party made of Quebec nationalists who defected from the federal Progressive Conservative...
MP - defeated - Jean D'AmourJean D'AmourJean D'Amour is a Canadian politician, who represents the electoral district of Rivière-du-Loup in the National Assembly of Quebec...
, Liberal (Rivière-du-LoupRivière-du-Loup (electoral district)Rivière-du-Loup is a provincial electoral district in Quebec, Canada, that elects members to the National Assembly of Quebec. It was originally created in 1930 from a portion of the electoral district of Témiscouata.-Members of the Legislative Assembly:...
), 2009 by-election, former Mayor of Rivière-du-Loup and President of the Liberal Party of Quebec - elected
United States (federal-level)
Star candidates are often touted as such at all levels except when running for the offices of President or Vice President. At a congressional level (either HouseUnited States House of Representatives
The United States House of Representatives is one of the two Houses of the United States Congress, the bicameral legislature which also includes the Senate.The composition and powers of the House are established in Article One of the Constitution...
or Senate
United States Senate
The United States Senate is the upper house of the bicameral legislature of the United States, and together with the United States House of Representatives comprises the United States Congress. The composition and powers of the Senate are established in Article One of the U.S. Constitution. Each...
) they are often big-city mayors or high-profile state politicians that have been lured by their supporters within the party to run at that level. They can also be people who excelled in business, the media, academics or sports.
House
- Heath ShulerHeath ShulerJoseph Heath Shuler is a businessman, a former NFL quarterback, and the U.S. Representative for , serving since 2007. He is a member of the Democratic Party....
, D-NC11, 2006, NFL quarterback - elected - Jim BunningJim BunningJames Paul David "Jim" Bunning is an American former Major League Baseball pitcher and politician.During a 17-year baseball career, he pitched from 1955 to 1971, most notably with the Detroit Tigers and the Philadelphia Phillies. When he retired, he had the second-highest total of career...
, R-KY4, 1986, baseball player - elected
United States (state-level)
As with Canada, they are also either retired high-profile politicians who have been lured back into politics or a city-level politician who has been convinced to enter state politics. Or former politicians that have been lured to run at state level to attain high-profile positions at that level (e.g. Governor)California
- Arnold SchwarzeneggerArnold SchwarzeneggerArnold Alois Schwarzenegger is an Austrian-American former professional bodybuilder, actor, businessman, investor, and politician. Schwarzenegger served as the 38th Governor of California from 2003 until 2011....
, Republican, 2003California recall election, 2003The 2003 California gubernatorial recall election was a special election permitted under California state law. It resulted in voters replacing incumbent Democratic Governor Gray Davis with Republican Arnold Schwarzenegger. The recall effort spanned the latter half of 2003...
, actor - elected as Governor