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Doherty garners Conservative nomination

A former Williams Laker will run for the Cariboo-Prince George Conservative seat in the 2015 federal election.
sub Todd Doherty family
Todd Doherty (centre) and his wife Kelly (third from left) with daughters Kassi (left) Jordan

A former Williams Laker will run for the Cariboo-Prince George Conservative seat in the 2015 federal election.

In a three-way nomination race, Todd Doherty beat out contenders Shari Green and Nick Fedorkiw.

“We won on the first round,” Doherty told the Tribune. “I think we had strong support in all of our communities. I really was the only candidate who could say I was raised in the Cariboo, not just Prince George.”

The number of voters was unprecedented, Doherty added.

“Our team worked hard and people were excited to see for the first time in 21 years we were electing a new representative.”

Doherty lives in Prince George, but grew up in Williams Lake and graduated from Columneetza secondary school in 1986.

His wife Kelly was also raised in the lakecity and is part of the Pinchbeck family.

After university, Doherty taught crisis in counselling for teens, and then began an aviation career.

“We also had some small businesses of our own, we had a retail chain in the Okanagan, while I was in aviation at the same time.”

The Dohertys relocated to Prince George in 1999 where he worked to attract WestJet to the city, later becoming part of the company’s original management team.

In 2001 he left WestJet and worked with the Transport Canada team that transferred the airport over to the local airport authority.

He then spent a decade promoting the region, both in Canada and abroad.

“In 2011 I took a contract with the Edmonton International Airport to lead their international business by representing the airport on the world stage in promotion of trade, economic and aviation opportunities.”

Later that year he was asked to be the director of revenue generation for the 2015 Canada Winter Games, which he led until this fall.

The conservative nomination is Doherty’s first time at  the frontline of politics.

He’s worked behind the scenes on several campaigns for MP Dick Harris and former Prince George mayor Colin Kinsley when he sought the MP seat.

“I’ve always had a keen interest in politics,” Doherty said. “It’s just that my feet weren’t on the ground, I was all over the world.”

Doherty said he’s aware of the issues that are facing Williams Lake and Quesnel.

“That’s our family’s home and we want to make sure all of our region is well represented, and that we’re visible and approachable.”



Monica Lamb-Yorski

About the Author: Monica Lamb-Yorski

A B.C. gal, I was born in Alert Bay, raised in Nelson, graduated from the University of Winnipeg, and wrote my first-ever article for the Prince Rupert Daily News.
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