Randy Hawes’ long political career appears to have come to an end.
The four-time Mission mayor and three time MLA lost his bid for the mayor’s chair to Pam Alexis on Saturday night.
Sitting in his home, Hawes seemed at peace with the results.
“The people spoke obviously and I guess everybody has a best before date, so I’m OK with it.
He has said earlier in the election that “if I win, I win and if I lose, I win,” noting he can now go on more holidays.
“Retirement doesn’t look that bad. I’ve been 25 years doing this and, to be honest with you, I’m getting tired.”
During his campaign, Hawes said he attempted to engage people on social media.
“I had no idea that it was that nasty. That there was so many nasty people and that’s disheartening.”
Hawes said he doesn’t mind if people don’t agree with what he did, but said a lot of it became personal.
“I find that pretty offensive and what’s much worse is your family is bothered by it.”
Even worse, said Hawes, he knows some people who would have run in the election, but decided not to, to protect their families from those kind of comments.
“That’s what’s wrong with social media today. The keyboard warriors are able to do whatever they want, to say whatever they want, with impunity.”
Having said that, Hawes said he wouldn’t change anything he did in the campaign.
“At 71 years old, I’m ready to retire. I’m gonna play quite a bit of golf, do some holidaying… if I get bored, I’ll find something to do.”
Hawes called Alexis after the results were in and congratulated her on the victory.
“I congratulated her, she said everything was good and everything was going to be OK. She thanked me, I thanked her and we move on.
“Pam’s a very nice person. So I wish her well. I really hope this council comes together quickly and clicks I mean, it’s got to. We are at a critical time. I wish her all the best.”