Henry Braun (politician)

Henry Braun (born c. 1950)[2] is a Canadian politician and businessman. He served as the mayor of Abbotsford, British Columbia from 2014 to 2022.

His worship
Henry Braun
Mayor of Abbotsford, British Columbia
In office
December 1, 2014[1] – November 7, 2022
Preceded byBruce Banman
Succeeded byRoss Siemens
Abbotsford City Councillor
In office
2011–2014
Personal details
Political partyIndependent
SpouseVelma 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]

As mayor, Braun's biggest challenge was having to deal with the 2021 Pacific Northwest floods which ravaged the Sumas Prairie in the city.[9]

Braun did not run for re-election in 2022.

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.
  9. "3 B.C. mayors reflect on leadership as their terms end". CBC. October 13, 2022. Retrieved August 26, 2023.
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