Frank Laut
Encyclopedia
Frank Laut was a farmer and a provincial politician from Alberta
, Canada
. He served as a member of the Legislative Assembly of Alberta
from 1940 to 1944 sitting as an Independent.
. He ran in the new electoral district of Banff-Cochrane
as an Independent candidate. Laut defeated Social Credit incumbent William King
in a straight fight taking over 60% of the popular vote.
While serving in the Legislature two of Laut's sons were killed in action in World War II
, the Assembly unanimously passed a motion moved by Independent leader James Walker
expressing deepest sorrow and regret for his loss.
Laut ran for a second term in the 1944 Alberta general election
. He won the popular vote in the three way race on the first count. However Laut did not have a clear majority as he only won 39% of the first choice preferences. He was defeated by Social Credit candidate Arthur Wray
on the second count.
Laut would run for a third time in the 1948 Alberta general election
. The race was hotly contested as he faced King and Wray. Laut finished second on the first count, the second choice preferences of King gave Wray the majority he needed to win.
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...
, Canada
Canada
Canada is a North American country consisting of ten provinces and three territories. Located in the northern part of the continent, it extends from the Atlantic Ocean in the east to the Pacific Ocean in the west, and northward into the Arctic Ocean...
. 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 sitting as an Independent.
Political career
Laut ran for a seat to the Alberta Legislature in the 1940 Alberta general electionAlberta 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....
. He ran in the new electoral district of Banff-Cochrane
Banff-Cochrane
Banff-Cochrane is a provincial electoral district for the Legislative Assembly of Alberta, Canada. This riding is home to the popular tourist destination Banff National Park, environmental issues tend to dominate here....
as an Independent candidate. Laut defeated Social Credit incumbent William King
William Robert King
William Robert King was a provincial level politician from Alberta, Canada. He served as a member of the Legislative Assembly of Alberta from 1935 to 1940 affiliated with the Social Credit caucus for the electoral district of Cochrane.-Political career:...
in a straight fight taking over 60% of the popular vote.
While serving in the Legislature two of Laut's sons were killed in action in World War II
World War II
World War II, or the Second World War , was a global conflict lasting from 1939 to 1945, involving most of the world's nations—including all of the great powers—eventually forming two opposing military alliances: the Allies and the Axis...
, the Assembly unanimously passed a motion moved by Independent leader James Walker
James H. Walker
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.- Early life :Walker...
expressing deepest sorrow and regret for his loss.
Laut ran for a second term in the 1944 Alberta general election
Alberta general election, 1944
The Alberta general election of 1944 was the tenth general election for the Province of Alberta, Canada. The Assembly was dissolved on July 8, 1944 and the vote for was held on August 8, 1944 to elect members of the Legislative Assembly of Alberta....
. He won the popular vote in the three way race on the first count. However Laut did not have a clear majority as he only won 39% of the first choice preferences. He was defeated by Social Credit candidate Arthur Wray
Arthur Wray
Arthur Henry Wray was a provincial level politician from Alberta, Canada. He served as a member of the Legislative Assembly of Alberta from 1944 to 1952...
on the second count.
Laut would run for a third time in the 1948 Alberta general election
Alberta general election, 1948
The Alberta general election of 1948 was the eleventh general election for the Province of Alberta, Canada. It was held on August 17, 1948 to elect members of the Legislative Assembly of Alberta....
. The race was hotly contested as he faced King and Wray. Laut finished second on the first count, the second choice preferences of King gave Wray the majority he needed to win.