Canadian politician
Bill Bonko Sr.
In office November 22, 2004 – March 3, 2008Preceded by New district Succeeded by Janice Sarich Constituency Edmonton-Decore In office October 16, 1995 – October 18, 2004Preceded by New ward Succeeded by Bev Esslinger
Political party Liberal Spouse Michele Children Two Residence Edmonton Occupation Circulation manager
Bill Bonko is a Canadian politician and former member of the Legislative Assembly of Alberta . He was first elected in the 2004 election as a Liberal in Edmonton Decore , but was defeated in his 2008 re-election bid by Progressive Conservative Janice Sarich .
Early life
Bill Bonko graduated from Queen Elizabeth High School .[ 1] He worked for fifteen years as the circulation manager for the Edmonton Journal .[ 1]
Political career
Bonko first sought political office in the 1995 municipal election , when he was elected to the Board of Edmonton Public Schools as trustee for Ward A.[ 2] He was re-elected in the 1998 and 2001 elections.[ 3] [ 4] He did not seek re-election at the conclusion of his third term. Instead, he ran for the Legislative Assembly of Alberta in Edmonton Decore in the 2004 provincial election as a Liberal .[ 5] He won 44.63% of the vote and defeated his opponents, who included former MLA Walter Szwender who was running for the Progressive Conservatives and Gary Masyk , an incumbent MLA whose riding had been abolished and who had crossed the floor to become the Alberta Alliance 's first MLA after being elected as PC.[ 5] [ 6] He did not sponsor any bills during his time in the legislature,[ 7] and was defeated by Progressive Conservative candidate Janice Sarich in the 2008 election .[ 8]
Personal life
Bonko is married to Michele;[ 1] the pair has two children,[ 1] including Bill Jr. who ran as a Liberal candidate in Athabasca-Redwater in the 2008 provincial election.[ 9]
Election results
2008 Election Results (Edmonton Decore )
Turnout 35.1%
Affiliation
Candidate
Votes
%
Progressive Conservative
Janice Sarich
4,602
45.93%
Liberal
Bill Bonko
3,879
38.72%
NDP
Sidney Sadik
1,295
12.93%
Green
Trey Capenhurst
243
2.43%
2004 Election Results (Edmonton Decore )
Turnout 43.4%
Affiliation
Candidate
Votes
%
Liberal
Bill Bonko
4,418
44.63%
Progressive Conservative
Walter Szwender
3,033
30.63%
NDP
Shirley Barg
1,524
15.40%
Alberta Alliance
Gary Masyk
830
8.39%
Social Credit
Geoffrey Chevrier
94
0.95%
2001 Edmonton municipal election results (Public School Trustee, Ward A)
Candidate
Votes
%
Bill Bonko
6,769
62.1%
Bev Esslinger
4,136
37.9%
1998 Edmonton municipal election results (Public School Trustee, Ward A)
Candidate
Votes
%
Bill Bonko
4,867
48.3%
Bev Esslinger
3,325
33.0%
Lynette Young
1,883
18.7%
1995 Edmonton municipal election results (Public School Trustee, Ward A)
Candidate
Votes
%
Bill Bonko
4,480
33.5%
Maureen Ford
2,441
18.2%
Cathy Kutryk
2,175
16.3%
Joe Hak
1,933
14.5%
Larry Phillips
800
6.0%
Perry Dane
565
4.2%
Victor Varvis
559
4.2%
Dan McAra
428
3.2%
References