James H. Walker
Encyclopedia
James H. Walker was a former farmer, provincial level politician and World War I
era soldier. He served as a member of the Legislative Assembly of Alberta
from 1940 to 1944. During that time he served as official opposition leader twice and was leader of the Independents.
. He attained the rank of Major and ran in the 1917 Alberta general election
soldiers and nurses vote. In that vote he finished eighth out of twenty first place.
He was involved in large scale farming in Raymond
, Alberta
. He specialized in growing Sugar Beets, and became chairman of the Beet Growing Industry. He also primarily raised sheep on his farm.
candidate in the 1935 Alberta general election
. He would be defeated by Social Credit candidate Solon Earl Low
finishing a distant second place, but still ahead of incumbent Frank Leffingwell
.
Walker himself would run for a second time in the Warner
electoral district against Low . He was an Independent candidate this time around and defeated Low.
Walker would run for leadership of the Independent Citizen's Association
and defeat David Elton on a first ballot win at Calgary on January 23, 1944. His win would make him the first permanent leader of the Independents.
Walker had trouble gaining traction as leader. Prior to the start of the 4th Legislative session. The Independents lost two caucus members who joined Joseph Trembley to sit in the Assembly as Liberals
. The Independents despite knowing about the timing of the 1940 Alberta general election
well in advance failed to field a full slate of candidates. The party and Walker were criticized heavily as being unable to form government and unable to be a viable alternative. On elections night Social Credit under Ernest Manning surged in popularity and the Independents were returned in just three seats.
Walker was personally defeated in his own electoral district by Low and did not return to provincial politics.
World War I
World War I , which was predominantly called the World War or the Great War from its occurrence until 1939, and the First World War or World War I thereafter, was a major war centred in Europe that began on 28 July 1914 and lasted until 11 November 1918...
era soldier. He served as a member of the Legislative Assembly of Alberta
Legislative Assembly of Alberta
The Legislative Assembly of Alberta is one of two components of the Legislature of Alberta, the other being the Queen, represented by the Lieutenant-Governor of Alberta. The Alberta legislature meets in the Alberta Legislature Building in the provincial capital, Edmonton...
from 1940 to 1944. During that time he served as official opposition leader twice and was leader of the Independents.
Early life
Walker served in World War IWorld War I
World War I , which was predominantly called the World War or the Great War from its occurrence until 1939, and the First World War or World War I thereafter, was a major war centred in Europe that began on 28 July 1914 and lasted until 11 November 1918...
. He attained the rank of Major and ran in the 1917 Alberta general election
Alberta general election, 1917
The Alberta general election of 1917 was the fourth general election for the Province of Alberta, Canada, held on 7 June 1917 to elect members of the Legislative Assembly of Alberta....
soldiers and nurses vote. In that vote he finished eighth out of twenty first place.
He was involved in large scale farming in Raymond
Raymond, Alberta
Raymond is a town in Warner County, Alberta, Canada. It is located in southern Alberta south of Lethbridge on Highway 52. Raymond is known for its annual rodeo and its large Mormon population...
, Alberta
Alberta
Alberta is a province of Canada. It had an estimated population of 3.7 million in 2010 making it the most populous of Canada's three prairie provinces...
. He specialized in growing Sugar Beets, and became chairman of the Beet Growing Industry. He also primarily raised sheep on his farm.
Political career
Walker would return to provincial politics running as a United Farmers of AlbertaUnited Farmers of Alberta
The United Farmers of Alberta is an association of Alberta farmers that has served many different roles throughout its history as a lobby group, a political party, and as a farm-supply retail chain. Since 1934 it has primarily been an agricultural supply cooperative headquartered in Calgary...
candidate in the 1935 Alberta general election
Alberta general election, 1935
The Alberta general election of 1935 was the eighth general election for the Province of Alberta, Canada. It was held on August 22, 1935 to elect members of the Legislative Assembly of Alberta....
. He would be defeated by Social Credit candidate Solon Earl Low
Solon Earl Low
Solon Earl Low was a Canadian politician in the 20th century.Low was born in Cardston, Alberta, and was a farmer, school teacher and school principal. He was elected to the Legislative Assembly of Alberta in the 1935 provincial that swept the Social Credit Party of Alberta to power...
finishing a distant second place, but still ahead of incumbent Frank Leffingwell
Frank Leffingwell
Frank Seth Leffingwell was a business man, stone cutter, horse trader, real estate agent, officer of the law, as well as a municipal and provincial politician who was elected to public office in both the United States and Canada.-Early life:Leffing well was born on November 16, 1868 in Whitewater,...
.
Walker himself would run for a second time in the Warner
Warner (provincial electoral district)
Warner was a provincial electoral district in Alberta, Canada. It was mandated to return a single member to the Legislative Assembly of Alberta.-1957 liquor plebiscite:...
electoral district against Low . He was an Independent candidate this time around and defeated Low.
Walker would run for leadership of the Independent Citizen's Association
Independent Citizen's Association
Independent Citizen's Association was a short-lived political party and lobby group in Alberta, Canada.The political party had its only representation in the Legislative Assembly of Alberta, when John P...
and defeat David Elton on a first ballot win at Calgary on January 23, 1944. His win would make him the first permanent leader of the Independents.
Walker had trouble gaining traction as leader. Prior to the start of the 4th Legislative session. The Independents lost two caucus members who joined Joseph Trembley to sit in the Assembly as Liberals
Alberta Liberal Party
The Alberta Liberal Party is a provincial political party in Alberta, Canada. Originally founded in 1905, when the province was created, it was the dominant political party until 1921 when it was defeated. It has never been in government since that time...
. The Independents despite knowing about the timing of the 1940 Alberta general election
Alberta general election, 1940
The Alberta general election of 1940 was the ninth general election for the Province of Alberta, Canada, was held on March 21, 1940 to elect members of the Legislative Assembly of Alberta....
well in advance failed to field a full slate of candidates. The party and Walker were criticized heavily as being unable to form government and unable to be a viable alternative. On elections night Social Credit under Ernest Manning surged in popularity and the Independents were returned in just three seats.
Walker was personally defeated in his own electoral district by Low and did not return to provincial politics.