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Tamara Goeppel

Potential candidate poised to confirm nomination bid

The race for the Yukon’s federal Liberal nomination is heating up, with another candidate entering the fray this week.

By Whitehorse Star on July 17, 2014

The race for the Yukon’s federal Liberal nomination is heating up, with another candidate entering the fray this week.

Tamara Goeppel, the owner of Yukon Travel and CEO for Mainsteele Developments, has confirmed her bid for the territory’s Liberal party nomination for the 2015 election.

Goeppel, an entrepreneur, longtime Whitehorse resident and competitive adventure cyclist, joins former MP Larry Bagnell and engineer Ben Sanders in hoping to run for the Grits in the next federal election.

A fourth candidate for the nomination, Fred Statham of Watson Lake, has dropped out, the only contender not based in Whitehorse.

Jason Cunning, the Yukon chair of the federal Liberal Party’s election readiness committee, welcomed the competitive edge Goeppel’s entrance adds to the race.

“It certainly generates more interest in the race, and that’s always a good thing,” Cunning said. “It brings people into the party, and that’s also a good thing.

“It makes candidates work that much harder, and that’s a good thing too,” he added.

“I think it demonstrates a year and a bit out from the election that there’s a lot of interest in the Liberal Party as the option if you want to get rid of the Conservatives, especially locally.

“Ryan Leef’s got to be looking over his shoulder at this point,” Cunning added.

Goeppel has scheduled a press conference at the totem pole near the foot of Main Street for 4 p.m. today.

Leef was quietly nominated for the Tories earlier this year, with no announcement made.

No one has publicly stepped forward for the New Democrats nor the Green Party.

Comments (9)

Up 8 Down 9

Fred Statham on Jul 19, 2014 at 7:35 pm

To Jack and others who, at this time, would have a hard time voting for Justin Trudeau; I say to keep an open mind and if you still feel the same way a year from now, I will respect your decision to vote for another party. Sincerely, Fred Statham.

Up 17 Down 17

jack on Jul 19, 2014 at 12:34 am

Simply no way I could freely place a vote for Justin Trudeau, sorry.

Up 14 Down 12

Fred Statham on Jul 18, 2014 at 10:23 pm

On October 4th, Yukon Liberals will demonstrate DEMOCRACY IN ACTION. There will be 3 Candidates; possibly more. Compare that with The Conservatives, "Leef was quietly nominated for the Tories earlier this year, with no announcement made. No one has publicly stepped forward for the New Democrats nor the Green Party". The Challenge is there for New Democrats and the Green Party to have Open Nominations like The Liberal Party of Canada. Sincerely, Fred Statham.

Up 14 Down 9

what they heck are they thinking ... on Jul 18, 2014 at 3:57 pm

... does the term "thin skinned" and "bad temper" mean anything? This will get interesting as some have thinner skin and a shorter fuse than others. When the dust settles some will not be displaying a happy face.

Up 15 Down 19

Yukoner 2 on Jul 18, 2014 at 2:52 pm

Yukon Party wins again

Up 24 Down 22

Local Drifter on Jul 18, 2014 at 12:23 pm

Sorry Liberals, you forever lost my vote for selecting the disaster known as Justin Trudeau over Marc Garneau to lead your party. Marc went to space, Justin is simply spaced out.

Up 19 Down 13

trena irving on Jul 17, 2014 at 11:46 pm

You go Tamara!

Up 23 Down 15

BnR on Jul 17, 2014 at 6:28 pm

Tamara is a life long Yukoner, not just a long time. She has a lot of integrity and dedication to The Yukon. Both she and Larry are excellent candidates.

Up 11 Down 23

Francias Pillman on Jul 17, 2014 at 6:06 pm

Silly liberals, elections are for Harpers.

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