Richard Mahoney
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Richard Mahoney (pronounced MaHAney) is a Canadian politician with the Liberal Party who ran for office in the riding of Ottawa Centre, but lost in the 2004 federal election. Long a close ally of Paul Martin he was expected to have an important place in the government, but was ultimately defeated by former NDP leader Ed Broadbent.
The two candidates were originally nominated for a by-election to replace Liberal Mac Harb who had been appointed to the Senate. This by-election was scheduled for November, but since a national election was held before then they ran in the general election. Mahoney had already played a prominent role in the campaign, becoming one of the Liberals leading attackers on the record of Conservative leader Stephen Harper.
Mahoney has been a dedicated Liberal for many years. As a youth, he led the Young Liberals of Canada and became close to Prime Minister John Napier Turner. He worked for Martin 1988 leadership campaign and served as his top aide for the next few years before becoming President of the Ontario Liberal Party.
Mahoney has worked as a senior vice president and paid lobbyist for Borealis Capital, and sat on the board of the Canadian-American Business Council.
A lawyer by profession, Mahoney remained a chief advisor to Paul Martin while Martin was Finance Minister and helped to orchestrate Martin's leadership ambitions. Martin invited Mahoney to run in what was presumed to be the safe seat of Ottawa Centre, intending Mahoney to have a key government role as an Member of Parliament and Cabinet minister. Penny Collenette, a Chrétien loyalist and long time associate of Mac Harb, had long been considered the heir apparent in the riding. Mahoney bested both Collenette and dentist Khaled Hashem to win the Liberal nomination in the 2004 election.
The race became a difficult one, however, when the popular and experienced Ed Broadbent came out of retirement. Mahoney's chances were further injured when one of Martin's first acts was a federal hiring freeze that was unpopular and economically damaging in the riding filled with civil servants. Conservative candidate Mike Murphy also put in a stronger-than-expected showing. On polling day, Broadbent defeated Mahoney by over 6,000 votes.
Mahoney, decided to run again in Ottawa Centre when Ed Broadbent announced in May 2005 that he would not seek re-election. Barring the entrance of another high-profile NDP candidate, observers expect a much closer result in the next election. Mahoney has secured the Liberal nomination and will wait until the next election is called.