Al Golden (politician)
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Allan (Al) Golden is a politician and businessman in Winnipeg, Manitoba.
Golden, a self-made millionaire, is involved in many business operations, including the St. Vital Hotel and the Transcona Country Club. He entered politics after being encouraged by his friend and mentor, former Mayor of Winnipeg Stephen Juba, to run in the 1980 mayoral election. He finished second against Bill Norrie, the candidate of the right-leaning Independent Citizen's Election Committee, and would remain an enemy of the ICEC throughout his career.
Golden's own political views are difficult to categorize. While he is not an ally of Winnipeg's traditional conservative leadership, he has nonetheless been described as a populist right-winger. He might perhaps be best regarded as an ideological successor to Juba, his mentor.
Golden considered running against Norrie again in 1986, but declined. It was not until 1988 that he ran for office again, this time being elected as a city councillor in the district of St. Vital. Golden was re-elected three times, serving on Council until 2000. He never took pay for his work as a Councillor.
In 2000, Golden was forced to resign his seat after being convicted of tax fraud. He ran as a candidate to replace himself in the succeeding by-election, but lost.
He was rumoured to be considering another bid for council in 2002, but instead ran for Mayor after Garth Steek pulled out of the race, claiming that there should be a credible candidate to challenge incumbent Glen Murray. Despite having only a few weeks to campaign, he finished a respectable second.
Golden stood as a candidate for Mayor of Winnipeg for a third time in 2004, following Murray's resignation. He placed third in a crowded field of candidates, with Sam Katz finishing first.
Prior to the Provincial election of 2003 in Manitoba, the Winnipeg Free Press reported that Golden had met with Stuart Murray, leader of the Progressive Conservative Party of Manitoba ,regarding the possibility of one of Golden’s sons being a candidate for the party.
Golden was a founding member of the Old Market Square restoration, and runs a transportation service for seniors.
