The battle for the mayor’s chair has two more contenders. – 17-year-old Travis Daleman and 32-year-old Meghann Coughlan.
Daleman is one of the youngest candidates to run for political office in Canada. The local man will celebrate his 18th birthday on Oct. 26, making his candidacy for mayor legal, just in time for the Nov. 19 municipal election.
A student at the University of the Fraser Valley, Daleman was motivated to run by the need for the younger generation to be involved in government, and hopes to draw attention of residents to the election and the local issues in Abbotsford.
“I’m really interested in getting younger people to take an interest in local politics ... I’ve noticed a lot of students talking about issues and I’m really excited about that,” he said.
He feels it’s important that people vote and would like to see more young people running for political office.
“There’s always talk about getting new blood in council and in government, and that’s what I’m trying to do.”
Coughlan has lived in Abbotsford since 1992. The mother of four is originally from Niagara Falls and has held a variety of positions including an internship with Aboriginal Initiatives for the Correctional Services of Canada.
Coughlan said on her website that if she is “not elected mayor, I will return to university to begin working towards my long-term goal of attaining my doctorate.”
She also said she has a “passion to be a voice for the people of Abbotsford.”
Daleman and Coughlan join current mayor George Peary, Gerda Peachy and Bruce Banman as candidates for mayor.