Jim Horsman

James "Jim" Deverell Horsman, CM AOE (born July 29, 1935) is a former provincial level politician from Alberta, Canada. He served as a member of the Legislative Assembly of Alberta from 1975 to 1993. During his time in public office he also served numerous cabinet portfolios in the Government of Alberta.

Early life

James Deverell Horsman was born in Camrose, Alberta in 1935. He grew up in Meeting Creek with his grandparents while his mother and father served overseas in World War II. His family later moved east to Moose Jaw, Saskatchewan. Horsman moved west in the 1950s to study at the University of British Columbia.^[2]

At UBC, Horsman attained a Bachelor of Commerce degree in 1959 and a year later attained a law degree. After University Horsman moved back east to Calgary to start practicing law, he moved to Medicine Hat a short time later after visiting family and meeting a potential law partner. After moving to Medicine Hat he met Betty Whitney, a local High School teacher. Horsman married her in 1964.^[2] They have three daughters.

Political career

Horsman became involved in the Alberta Progressive Conservatives in the early 1960s. He served on the party's executive council as Vice President for Southern Alberta before running for political office.^[2]

Horsman ran for a seat to the Alberta Legislature as a Progressive Conservative candidate in the Medicine Hat electoral district for the 1967 Alberta general election. He was defeated finishing second to Social Credit incumbent MLA Harry Leinweber.^[3] Horseman ran for office a second time in the new Medicine Hat-Redcliff electoral district for the 1971 Alberta general election. He was again defeated, this time by Social Credit candidate William Wyse.^[4]

Horsman was successful on his third attempt for public office. He ran against Wyse for the second time in the 1975 Alberta general election, this time defeating him. The race was closely contested, with Horsman defeating Wyse by a 100 vote margin.^[5] In 1979 Medicine Hat-Redcliff electoral district was abolished due to redistribution, the old Medicine Hat electoral district was reconstituted. Horsman ran for re-election in the general election held that year. He won the election with a super majority as the second place candidate finished almost 8000 votes behind.^[6] Horsman would increase his sizable majority winning another big plurality in the 1982 general election.^[7]

Horsman would see his popular vote drop in half in his bid for a fourth term in office in the 1986 general election. He would still win Medicine Hat comfortably as there was little growth in the vote from opposition candidates.^[8] He ran for his fifth and final term in the 1989 general election. His popular vote dropped marginally from his total in 1989, but he still won his district handily. Horsman retired at dissolution of the Assembly in 1993.^[9]

Late life

After leaving political office, Horsman became Alberta's chief NAFTA negotiator. He later served as chancellor for the University of Lethbridge. Horsman continued to serve on numerous other boards.^[2] On April 6, 2006 Horsman was appointed to the Order of Canada.^[10]

References

External links

• Legislative Assembly of Alberta Members Listing