Three-way races for mayor in both Langley City and Langley Township, plus a hard-fought battle with incumbent Langley Township councillors over land use plans, led to a free-wheeling spending spree by some candidates in the November election.
The races for mayor in Langley Township and Langley City cost about $180,000 — likely a record for Langley. As it was, there was at least a perceived battle for the top spot on both councils, although incumbent Jack Froese and acting mayor Ted Schaffer in the City easily won again.
A significant amount was also spent by those running for council in both jurisdictions. In general, council candidates in the Township spent more, understandable given the challenge of reaching voters in a spread-out area.
Perhaps the most fascinating revelations from the campaign disclosures come from two third party interveners in the election. When it comes to value for money spent, it’s hard to beat their successes.
The Langley Township Unelection Campaign targeted five incumbents, and was successful in that three were defeated. It was the first time incumbent councillors had lost their seats in the Township since 2002. The Unelection Campaign set up a website, did a small amount of advertising and hosted a well-attended all-candidates meeting — all for just over $4,000 in actual cash expended.
Langley Township Professional Firefighters political action fund spent $7,201, hosted an all-candidates meeting, put up signs, sent out brochures and endorsed a full slate of nine candidates. It wasn’t their first intervention in Township politics — but it was incredibly successful. Only one of the candidates they endorsed lost, and two who had formerly been endorsed by them (but weren’t this time) also lost. It cost them less than $1,000 per candidate elected.