Naomi Rankin

Naomi Rankin (born c. 1953)[1] is a Canadian politician and the leader of the Communist Party – Alberta since 1992. She is the longest-serving political party leader in the province,[2] and has run as a perennial candidate in every federal and provincial election in Alberta since 1982.[3]

Naomi Rankin
Rankin in 2015
Leader of the Communist Party – Alberta
Assumed office
1992
Preceded byNorman Brudy
Personal details
Political partyCommunist
ProfessionPolitician, programmer

Political career

Rankin became leader of the Communist Party in Alberta in 1992, after the collapse of the Soviet Union sent the party into crisis.[2] Since 1982, she has run in every provincial and federal election for the Communist Party – Alberta and the Communist Party of Canada respectively. Rankin herself usually fields around 100 votes.[4]

In a typical election campaign, Rankin goes door-to-door and distributes pamphlets, as she tries to engage voters in discussions about the party's main platforms.[4] In the 1980s, these included the nationalization of transnational oil and gas companies, and making Alberta a nuclear weapons-free zone.[5] Since then, issues on the Communist Party agenda have included opposing privatization,[6] doubling the corporate tax rate, and making drastic cuts to military spending.[4] She also appears in forums, debates, and media interviews, in which she tries to debunk popular myths about the Communist Party and socialism.[6] As a candidate, Rankin has aimed to spread her message beyond the party's traditional targets such as trade unions, environmental groups, women's organizations, and farmers.[7]

Personal life

Rankin is widowed with two children, and is retired from her career as a computer programmer.[4] She has lived in Edmonton since 1963.[8] A social activist since her teens, she has been active in peace and women's organizations.[5] Rankin sings in the "Notre Dame des Bananes” choir,[9] which performs songs about social justice,[7][9] and has also sung as a tenor with the Richard Eaton Singers.[10]

Electoral record

Federal
2019 Canadian federal election: Edmonton Strathcona
Party Candidate Votes%±%Expenditures
New DemocraticHeather McPherson26,82347.27+3.30$91,753.90
ConservativeSam Lilly21,03537.07+5.79$88,211.43
LiberalEleanor Olszewski6,59211.62-9.11$91,354.39
GreenMichael Kalmanovitch1,1522.03-0.27$8,919.41
People'sIan Cameron9411.66-none listed
CommunistNaomi Rankin1250.22-none listed
Marxist–LeninistDougal MacDonald770.14-0.03none listed
Total valid votes/expense limit 56,74599.56
Total rejected ballots 2500.44+0.05
Turnout 56,99572.26+1.27
Eligible voters 78,876
New Democratic hold Swing -1.24
Source: Elections Canada[11][12]
2015 Canadian federal election: Edmonton Mill Woods
Party Candidate Votes%±%Expenditures
LiberalAmarjeet Sohi20,42341.24+29.52$136,379.94
ConservativeTim Uppal20,33141.06-17.88$126,472.41
New DemocraticJasvir Deol6,33012.78-12.61$55,302.53
GreenRalph McLean1,0962.21-0.78$1,671.63
IndependentColin Stubbs5601.13–$5,091.44
LibertarianAllen K.W. Paley3960.80––
Christian HeritagePeter Downing2850.58–$3,798.53
CommunistNaomi Rankin960.19––
Total valid votes/expense limit 49,51799.54 $206,234.63
Total rejected ballots 2270.46–
Turnout 49,74467.84–
Eligible voters 73,323
Liberal gain from Conservative Swing +23.70
These results were subject to a judicial recount,[13] and modified from the validated results in accordance with the Judge's rulings. The margin of Sohi over Uppal increased from 79 votes to 92 votes as a result of the recount.[14]
Source: Elections Canada[15][16]
2011 Canadian federal election
Party Candidate Votes%±%Expenditures
ConservativeMike Lake27,85761.04+0.72$44,902
New DemocraticNadine Bailey10,87523.83+8.71$11,236
LiberalMike Butler5,06611.10-7.40
GreenChrista Baxter1,3642.99-2.69$1,705
PirateBrent Schaffrick3740.82*$2,461
CommunistNaomi Rankin1000.22-0.16$562
Total valid votes/Expense limit 45,636 99.58
Total rejected ballots 191 0.42+0.07
Turnout 45,827 53.13+1.03
Eligible voters 85,259––
Conservative hold Swing -4.00
2008 Canadian federal election
Party Candidate Votes%±%Expenditures
ConservativeMike Lake25,13060.32+1.70$80,034
LiberalIndira Saroya7,70918.51-2.64$82,941
New DemocraticMike Butler6,29715.12+0.57$4,620
GreenDavid Allan Hrushka2,3665.68+1.21
CommunistNaomi Rankin1570.38+0.19$395
Total valid votes/Expense limit 41,659 100.00 $84,984
Total rejected ballots 1460.35 +0.07
Turnout 41,805 52.0-10.3
2006 Canadian federal election
Party Candidate Votes%±%Expenditures
ConservativeMike Lake27,19158.62+16.13$67,482
LiberalAmarjit Grewal9,80921.15-21.67$73,522
New DemocraticNeal Gray6,74914.55+4.85$10,297
GreenKate Harrington2,0734.47-0.19$1,347
IndependentKyle McLeod4771.03N/A$8,055
CommunistNaomi Rankin850.18-0.15$280
Total valid votes 46,384100.00
Total rejected ballots 1310.28 +0.16
Turnout 46,51562.3-2.6
2004 Canadian federal election
Party Candidate Votes%±%Expenditures
LiberalDavid Kilgour17,55542.82–$65,152
ConservativeTim Uppal17,42142.49–$66,701
New DemocraticPaul Reikie3,9759.70–$4,138
GreenMichael Garfinkle1,9114.65–$788
CommunistNaomi Rankin1350.33–$751
Total valid votes 40,997100.00
Total rejected ballots 1810.44
Turnout 41,17859.67
2000 Canadian federal election
Party Candidate Votes%±%Expenditures
AlliancePeter Goldring17,76842.43-2.14$58,345
LiberalSue Olsen14,32334.20-0.38$57,858
New DemocraticRay Martin7,30417.44+5.65$56,287
Progressive ConservativeKevin Mahfouz2,2525.37-1.93$1,688
CommunistNaomi Rankin2220.53–$238
Total valid votes 41,869100.00 –
Total rejected ballots 1560.37+0.15
Turnout 42,02553.42 +1.73

Note: Canadian Alliance vote is compared to the Reform vote in 1997.

1997 Canadian federal election: Edmonton—Strathcona
Party Candidate Votes%±%Expenditures
ReformRahim Jaffer20,60541.30+1.95$58,003
LiberalGinette Rodger17,65435.38−3.12$58,244
New DemocraticJean McBean7,25114.53+9.48$42,936
Progressive ConservativeEdo Nyland3,6147.24−4.05$10,183
GreenKarina Gregory4060.81+0.23$520
Natural LawMaury Shapka1530.30−0.29
IndependentNaomi Rankin1150.23+0.05$1,732
Canadian ActionJ. Alex Ford920.18–$845
Total valid votes 49,890100.00
Total rejected ballots 1010.20
Turnout 49,99162.74
1993 Canadian federal election: Edmonton—Strathcona
Party Candidate Votes%±%
ReformHugh Hanrahan19,53139.35+17.10
LiberalChris Peirce19,11338.50+20.61
Progressive ConservativeScott Thorkelson5,60411.29−22.17
New DemocraticRita Egan2,5085.05−20.27
NationalAdrian Greenwood2,1314.29
Natural LawMaury Shapka2920.59
GreenHarry Garfinkle2870.58+0.28
IndependentNaomi Rankin900.18
Canada PartyOran K. Johnson830.17
Total valid votes 49,639 100.00
1988 Canadian federal election
Party Candidate Votes%±%
New DemocraticRoss Harvey15,05138.20+15.14
Progressive ConservativeWilliam Lesick14,39436.53-11.95
LiberalPeggy Blair7,16718.19+0.14
ReformElaine Sim1,7284.39
Christian HeritageRon Romanow7982.03
CommunistNaomi Rankin1230.31-0.07
IndependentBernie Sawatzky880.22
Confederation of RegionsRobert J. Yanew530.13-0.59
Total valid votes 39,402 100.00

Provincial
2023 Alberta general election: Edmonton-Highlands-Norwood
Party Candidate Votes%±%
New DemocraticJanis Irwin9,49171.46+8.01
United ConservativeNick Kalynchuk3,35025.22-0.26
GreenKristine Kowalchuk3392.55+1.01
CommunistNaomi Rankin1020.77+0.11
Total 13,28299.01–
Rejected and declined 1330.99
Turnout 13,41545.22
Eligible voters 29,665
New Democratic hold Swing +4.13
Source(s)
Source: Elections Alberta[17]
2019 Alberta general election: Edmonton-Strathcona
Party Candidate Votes%±%
New DemocraticRachel Notley14,72472.27%−10.14%
United ConservativeKulshan Gill3,48117.09%3.58%
Alberta PartyPrem Pal1,1395.59%–
Progressive ConservativeGary Horan2971.46%−12.14%
LiberalSamantha Hees2391.17%−2.82%
GreenStuart Andrews2271.11%–
Alberta IndependenceIan Smythe860.42%–
Alberta AdvantageDon Edward Meister620.30%–
CommunistNaomi J. Rankin610.30%–
WildroseDale Doan570.28%–
IndependentGord McLean490.24%–
Total valid ballots cast 20,422––
Rejected, spoiled and declined 1116017
Eligible electors / turnout 31,69565.03%14.56%
New Democratic hold Swing −6.82%
Source(s)
Source: "44 - Edmonton-Strathcona, 2019 Alberta general election". officialresults.elections.ab.ca. Elections Alberta. Retrieved May 21, 2020.
2015 Alberta general election: Edmonton-Mill Woods
Party Candidate Votes%±%
New DemocraticChristina Gray9,93064.86%50.72%
Progressive ConservativeSohail Quadri2,92019.07%-16.14%
WildroseBaljit Sall1,4379.39%-11.21%
LiberalRoberto Maglalang8505.55%-15.74%
IndependentAura Leddy1290.84%–
CommunistNaomi J. Rankin440.29%–
Total 15,310––
Rejected, spoiled and declined 553022
Eligible electors / turnout 28,13054.70%0.10%
New Democratic gain from Progressive Conservative Swing 17.09%
Source(s)
Source: "41 - Edmonton-Mill Woods, 2015 Alberta general election". officialresults.elections.ab.ca. Elections Alberta. Retrieved May 21, 2020.
Chief Electoral Officer (2016). 2015 General Election. A Report of the Chief Electoral Officer (PDF) (Report). Edmonton, Alta.: Elections Alberta.
2012 Alberta general election: Edmonton-Mill Creek
Party Candidate Votes%±%
Progressive ConservativeGene Zwozdesky6,62355.06%4.28%
WildroseAdam Corsaut2,19318.23%–
LiberalMike Butler1,64013.63%-16.42%
New DemocraticEvelinne Teichgraber1,33611.11%-2.39%
Alberta PartyJudy Wilson1941.61%–
CommunistNaomi Rankin430.36%0.05%
Total 12,029––
Rejected, spoiled and declined 117––
Eligible electors / turnout 25,25048.10%2.44%
Progressive Conservative hold Swing 8.05%
Source(s)
Source: "Elections Alberta 2012 General Election". Elections Alberta. Retrieved May 21, 2020.
"40 - Edmonton-Mill Creek". officialresults.elections.ab.ca. Elections Alberta. Retrieved June 4, 2020.
2008 Alberta general election: Edmonton-Mill Creek
Party Candidate Votes%±%
Progressive ConservativeGene Zwozdesky6,85750.78%8.70%
LiberalAman Gill4,05830.05%-5.55%
New DemocraticStephen Anderson1,82213.49%-0.69%
GreenGlen Argan7265.38%–
CommunistNaomi Rankin410.30%–
Total 13,504––
Rejected, spoiled and declined 90––
Eligible electors / turnout 29,77345.66%-3.89%
Progressive Conservative hold Swing 7.12%
Source(s)
Source: The Report on the March 3, 2008 Provincial General Election of the Twenty-seventh Legislative Assembly. Elections Alberta. May 28, 2020. pp. 320–323.
2004 Alberta general election results[18] Turnout 45.04% Swing
Affiliation Candidate Votes % Party Personal
LiberalWeslyn Mather5,01248.01%-0.96%
Progressive ConservativeNaresh Bhardwaj2,99228.66%-15.15%
New DemocraticLloyd Nelson1,56514.99%7.77%
Alberta AllianceCharles Relland8297.94%
CommunistNaomi Rankin420.40%*
Total 10,440
Rejected, spoiled, and declined 62
Eligible electors / Turnout 23,319 %
  Liberal hold Swing −8.06%
2001 Alberta general election: Edmonton-Centre
Party Candidate Votes%±%
LiberalLaurie Blakeman5,09544.01%0.06%
Progressive ConservativeDon J. Weideman4,44638.41%4.91%
New DemocraticDavid Eggen1,95916.92%-0.08%
CommunistNaomi Rankin760.66%–
Total 11,576––
Rejected, spoiled, and declined 74––
Eligible electors / turnout 22,64851.44%-0.66%
Liberal hold Swing -2.43%
Source(s)
Source: "Edmonton-Centre Official Results 2001 Alberta general election". Alberta Heritage Community Foundation. Retrieved May 21, 2020.
1997 Alberta general election: Edmonton-Riverview
Party Candidate Votes%
LiberalLinda Sloan6,06642.12
Progressive ConservativeGwen Harris5,12235.57
New DemocraticDonna Fong2,26115.70
Social CreditDavid Prenoslo8055.59
CommunistNaomi Rankin610.42
Total valid votes 14,402
Rejected, spoiled and declined 56
Registered electors 23,040
Turnout 14,45862.75
Liberal pickup new district.
Source(s)
"1997 General Election". Elections Alberta. Archived from the original on February 14, 2012. Retrieved January 26, 2012.
1993 Alberta general election results[19] Turnout 63.02% Swing
Affiliation Candidate Votes % Party Personal
LiberalAl Zariwny6,54239.41%15.30%
New DemocraticBarrie Chivers5,12130.85%-21.91%
Progressive ConservativeDon Grimble4,07124.52%8.33%
Social CreditPatrick Ellis4602.77%0.37%
GreensBetty Paschen2531.52%-3.02%
Natural LawBenjamin Toane1080.65%
CommunistNaomi Rankin470.28%*
Total 16,602
Rejected, spoiled and declined 60
Eligible electors / Turnout 26,440 %
  Liberal pickup from NDP Swing 18.61%

References
  1. "Naomi Rankin, Edmonton-Mill Woods-Beaumont | Vote communist!". Archived from the original on December 20, 2011. Retrieved April 4, 2012.
  2. Maimann, Kevin (April 7, 2019). "Alberta's longest-serving party leader says Communist message is gaining traction". Toronto Star. Archived from the original on May 24, 2021. Retrieved March 15, 2021.
  3. Black, Matthew (October 15, 2019). "Why do longshot election candidates keep coming back for more?". CTV News. Archived from the original on May 3, 2023. Retrieved March 15, 2021.
  4. Herring, Jason (October 15, 2019). "For Communist Naomi Rankin, running in her 21st election, marginal gains are good enough". Edmonton Journal. Archived from the original on August 4, 2021. Retrieved March 15, 2021.
  5. "Naomi Rankin, Communist Party – Alberta". Edmonton Journal. May 6, 1986. p. H6. Archived from the original on September 20, 2022. Retrieved September 20, 2022 – via Newspapers.com.
  6. Marck, Paul (March 9, 1997). "Communism's only contender: Party's sole candidate welcomes chance to show socialism as an option". Edmonton Journal. p. A5. Archived from the original on September 20, 2022. Retrieved September 20, 2022 – via Newspapers.com.
  7. Dawson, Anne (June 12, 2004). "Preaching revolution to the choir tradition Naomi Rankin". Edmonton Journal. CanWest News Service. p. A4. Archived from the original on September 20, 2022. Retrieved September 20, 2022 – via Newspapers.com.
  8. "Naomi Rankin, Communist Party of Canada". Edmonton Journal. November 18, 1988. p. 4. Archived from the original on September 20, 2022. Retrieved September 20, 2022 – via Newspapers.com.
  9. Murray, Tom (May 23, 2009). "Recession's a cabaret for choir with a cause". Edmonton Journal. p. D1. Archived from the original on September 20, 2022. Retrieved September 20, 2022 – via Newspapers.com.
  10. "Peace and Reconciliation Program". Issuu.com. June 19, 2022. Archived from the original on September 20, 2022. Retrieved September 20, 2022.
  11. "List of confirmed candidates". Elections Canada. Retrieved October 4, 2019.
  12. "Official Voting Results". Elections Canada. Retrieved August 13, 2021.
  13. "Tim Uppal's request for Edmonton-Mill Woods recount granted by judge". CBC News. October 23, 2015. Retrieved October 29, 2015.
  14. "Judicial recount results arriving after narrow election wins". CBC News. October 30, 2015. Retrieved October 31, 2015.
  15. "October 19, 2015 Election Results — Edmonton Mill Woods (Results as Certified by a Judge)". Elections Canada. October 29, 2015. Retrieved November 4, 2015.
  16. Elections Canada – Final Candidates Election Expenses Limits
  17. "34 - Edmonton-Highlands-Norwood". officialresults.elections.ab.ca. Elections Alberta. Retrieved June 8, 2023.
  18. "Edmonton-Mill Woods Statement of Official Results 2004 Alberta general election" (PDF). Elections Alberta. Archived (PDF) from the original on February 8, 2012. Retrieved April 14, 2010.
  19. "Edmonton-Strathcona results 1993 Alberta general election". Alberta Heritage Community Foundation. Archived from the original on December 8, 2010. Retrieved February 11, 2012.
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