Kitchener mayoral candidate Dan Glenn-Graham accused of running interference in Ward Two
Posted Oct 17, 2014 05:16:34 AM.
This article is more than 5 years old.
A candidate running in Kitchener’s Ward 2 says he’s been asked to step aside, with just over one week to go in the municipal election campaign.
Wasai Rahimi says mayoral candidate Dan Glenn-Graham sent him an email on Tuesday, asking him to step aside
and endorse opponent Dan Graham.
“I am both hurt and disappointed that Mr. Glenn-Graham would attempt to interfere and manipulate the race for Ward 2 councillor. I had a great deal of respect for Mr. Glenn-Graham and was a strong supporter of his campaign for Mayor.” Rahimi said in an email sent to 570 News.
Rahimi adds, “I believe in transparency, accountability and democracy. Only the voters have the right to make the choice of who will represent them.”
AUDIO – Rahimi speaks with 570’s Chris Pope
Below is the email in question:
Glenn-Graham tells 570 News a member of his campaign team sent the email. “…It was without my knowledge and I take full responsibility for it.”
Glenn-Graham says he will also be calling Rahimi to apologize.
AUDIO – Glenn-Graham speaks with 570’s Blair Adams
Meantime, Dan Graham sent a statement to 570 News in response to the story.
“I was deeply saddened this morning to learn that a Ward 2 candidate received an email asking him to withdraw from the race and to give his support to me. I want to clearly state that I had no knowledge of this and I had nothing to do with this email. I respect all 5 candidates running in Ward 2 and am looking forward to Election Day on Monday October 27, 2014. I ask all residents of Ward 2 to get out and vote next Monday for the candidate they feel will do the best job for them.”
AUDIO – Dan Graham speaks with 570’s Sydonie Eggett
Rahimi is the President and Executive Director of iHELP International, a registered charity active in Ethiopia and Afghanistan.
The other candidates running in Ward Two are Steven Cage, Chris Letizi, Dave Schnider and Grayson Zeilstra.
We also reached out to James Rhodes. He announced on Tuesday he was backing out of the mayor’s race and would be supporting Glenn-Graham.
“No email was ever sent to me from Dan Glenn-Graham (or his staff). I approached him first with my thoughts. My decision to withdraw and support him was entirely my own.”
Listen below to the full interviews with Wasai Rahimi and Dan Glenn-Graham on 570’s Midday Show with Eric Drozd.
