By Tim Waggoner
OTTAWA, September 3, 2008 (LifeSiteNews.com) – After serving for 13 years as the Christian Heritage Party’s national leader, Ron Gray has announced his retirement, initiating a leadership race to be decided this fall.
Gray was one of the first crop of CHP candidates in the 1988 federal election, before becoming party leader in 1995. He three times reconfirmed his leadership, in 1998, 2001 and 2005, the last two times in a unanimous vote. After starting his career with the Vancouver Sun, Gray worked most of his life in B.C., where he and his wife Janet raised nine children; they are grandparents to 15.
Campaign Life Coalition president Jim Hughes praised Gray for his dedication to the CHP.
“He did a fine job leading the Christian Heritage Party and was a good friend of Campaign Life Coalition,” said Hughes. “Ron was a stalwart defender of life and family and I thank him for his fine service and wish him all the best.”
Three candidates have already voiced their intention to run for leadership of the CHP.
Jim Hnatiuk has announced his intention and will be offering the experience he has gained over the years as CHP National Board member, Nova Scotia President and the CHP Deputy Leader.
Harold Ludwig has a degree in political science and is a “retired businessman and former educator who has had a lifelong interest in politics.” He also has experience within the party, having twice served as the BC provincial president.
Rod Taylor, who most recently joined the race, has run in the last two federal elections for Skeena-Bulkley Valley in B.C. He and his wife Ellen have two children and three grandchildren and have lived in B.C. for 26 years.