Some municipal election candidates wear their political colours on their signs, others just like blue

As the campaign signs for the fall municipal election start to crop up on lawns around Calgary, it's clear that some candidates aren't being coy about their political leanings.

With its blue background and bold white type, Jeromy Farkas's campaign signs might be mistaken for those of a federal Conservative candidate.

His slogan: "Your conservative choice."

"I stand for limited government and responsible spending," he said.

Even though there are no parties in Calgary municipal politics, Farkas says it's important Calgarians know where their candidates stand.

"I like the idea that if I earn your support in Ward 11, I answer to you and not to a party leader or a caucus," he said.

"But the fact of the matter is everyone has their political leanings. I'm just choosing to be more honest about it. Like, say, incumbent Brian Pincott is a long-time NDP supporter. I think what Calgarians are looking for is a bit more honesty about those positions."

Ward 7 candidate Brent Alexander has also adopted blue for hiscampaign sign, butsays he's dedicated to being independent.

Alexander said he chose blue because he is green-red colour blind, and blue shows up better than yellow. He also said signs are cheaper when you print one colour.

"My husband and I have raised our two kids to understand that colours are just colours," hesaid."There are no girl colours nor boy colours. If you want to wear pink shoelaces in your soccer cleats or a purple shirt to school you should. Don't let anyone tell you differently."

Strategy seen in past elections

Jack Lucas, who teaches urban politics at the University of Calgary, says this strategy was seen in last election as well.

"The question is whether there's going to be a group of challengers who are aligning on a kind of conservative platform and running against incumbent candidates in Calgary," he said.

"They might be able to break through the enormous advantage that incumbents tend to have in municipal politics."

As for Farkas, he won't be taking on an incumbent in Ward 11 Brian Pincott is not seeking re-election.

Calgary'smunicipal election is Oct. 16.

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