Lawrence Lee announces his intention to run as a mayoral candidate in the 2025 municipal election. (rdnewsNOW/Ashley Lavallee-Koenig)

By Ashley Lavallee-Koenig

"FOR A BETTER RED DEER"

Red Deer City Councillor Lawrence Lee running for mayor in 2025 election

Jan 31, 2025 | 2:18 PM

Lawrence Lee, a raised Red Deerian and three-term councillor, announced on Jan. 31 that he will be running for mayor of Red Deer in the 2025 municipal election.

“I’m excited to share my passion and I am ready to start the next chapter of our community’s growth,” he shared.

Lee said his primary focus will be on improving community safety, making life more affordable for Red Deerians and helping the local economy thrive.

“These words are also a promise to every resident in this community that we will work tirelessly to make a place, a city, where everyone can thrive,” he said. “We should not place blame, nor should we defend the status quo. We should actively seek opportunities not to dwell in the past, but to move forward.”

Regarding safety, Lee mentioned strengthening the relationship between the community and law enforcement, enhancing surveillance in high-crime areas, developing safety-focused bylaws, and providing positive pathways for youth and vulnerable populations.

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He intends to share more details about his campaign platform and focus for the next term in the coming weeks and months.

Lee expressed pride in his Red Deer roots, his record, and history working with previous councils, as well as gratitude for outgoing Mayor Ken Johnston’s work.

“I am grateful for the work [the Mayor] contributed to our community and I’ve learned a great deal in my three terms as a city councillor,” said Lee.

Lee and his wife Betty, along with their two daughters, Jessica and Brittany, were all born and raised in Red Deer.

He is a downtown business owner, long time entrepreneur and sits on a number of boards and committees:

• Director – Federation of Canadian Municipalities.
• President of the Red Deer and District Community Society
• Past director of operations for the Jim Pattison Group, Home Depot and Eye Recommend.
• Past board chair for Red Deer Public Schools

“I’ve been raised here my whole life and I want to give back to this community, because so much of the community has given me the opportunities for my family, my wife, my children; I want to give back,” said Lee. “I’m young enough and energetic enough, and I have the time, energy and passion to do that now.”

The Red Deer municipal election is scheduled for Oct. 20, 2025.

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