Dan Cunin has become a familiar name on the Cochrane municipal election ballot. This year's municipal election– set for October 20– will be Cunin’s fourth time running for a seat on Cochrane town council, and this time, he’s hoping to win.
The perennial town council candidate, Cunin has made it a habit of being the first candidate to declare for the election. He did so in March this year when he handed in his nomination papers. In the last election in 2021, Cunin came in 10th out of 19 candidates, falling four spots short of being elected.
Cunin has finished as one of the many runner-up more times than he would like, but that hasn’t deterred him from throwing his hat in the ring. “Council hasn’t really reached its full potential,” Cunin said. “And I want to be a part of it.”
On his campaign website that he launched over the August Long Weekend, Cunin plotted his big three areas of focus for the upcoming Fall campaign. He said he plans to restore both budget fundamentals and accountability and transparency to council, and plans to address issues like the environment, emergency services, public safety and sustainable growth.
“I’ve never believed in just living in a community,” Cunin told the Cochrane Eagle when asked why he chose to run again. “I think there is always a responsibility to give back to your community. That’s always how I’ve approached it.”
But what has changed? Three times Cunin has run for council and three times the voters of Cochrane have chosen someone else.
“I have more support [this time],” Cunin said. “[My supporters] are the biggest reason why I’m back. The conversations I’ve had have convinced me, now more than ever, that I have a valuable voice to offer.”
