Henry Braun (politician)

Henry Braun (born c. 1950)[2] is a Canadian politician and businessman. He is currently the mayor of Abbotsford, British Columbia.

Henry Braun
Mayor of Abbotsford, British Columbia
Assumed office
December 1, 2014[1]
Preceded byBruce Banman
Personal details
Political partyIndependent
Spouse(s)Velma Braun
Occupationbusinessman

Braun was born in Paraguay where he lived with his family until he was three and a half, when they first moved to Steinbach, Manitoba and then to Abbotsford.[2][3] His parents were Russian Mennonite refugees from the Mennonite colonies of southern Ukraine who fled to Paraguay during World War II.[2][4] Before entering politics, Braun was a rancher and the CEO Pacific Northern Rail Contractors Corp.[5]

Braun was first elected as a city councillor in Abbotsford in the 2011 municipal election. As a councillor, Braun was known for his lone opposing votes, with mayor Bruce Banman calling him "(not) a team player".[6] He ran for mayor in 2014, defeating Banman by just over 600 votes. Braun ran on a platform of "fiscal responsibility" and "better accountability" in local government. He received some controversy in his run, as his son was director of development planning for the city, causing a possible conflict of interest.[5] In his campaign, he won the endorsements of former mayors George Ferguson and Dave Kandal.[7]

Braun was re-elected mayor in the 2018 mayoral election, defeating long-time city councillor Moe Gill and accountant Eric Nyvall, taking 57% of the vote.[8]

Personal life

Braun is married to Velma Braun, and has three children.

References
  1. https://abbotsford.civicweb.net/document/44363
  2. "Henry Braun Running For Mayor". Abbotsford Today. January 10, 2014. Retrieved 1 May 2020.
  3. Herar, Ken (January 14, 2017). "COLUMN: From Paraguay to Abbotsford: A closer look at Mayor Braun". The Abbotsford News. Retrieved 1 May 2020.
  4. Lehn, Don (January 11, 2020). "Abbotsford Celebrates 25 Years As A City". Fraser Valley News. Retrieved 1 May 2020.
  5. "A case of Braun over Banman". Vancouver Province. November 16, 2014. p. A9. Retrieved May 1, 2020.
  6. Olsen, Tyler (August 22, 2018). "United they vote: Abbotsford council votes are consistently unanimous". The Abbotsford News. Retrieved 1 May 2020.
  7. Johnston, Jesse (October 16, 2014). "Spotlight on Abbotsford candidates". CBC. Retrieved 1 May 2020.
  8. "Braun back in Abbotsford". Vancouver Province. November 21, 2018. p. 12. Retrieved May 1, 2020.
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