Julia Kiniski (1899 in Poland – October 11, 1969 in Edmonton, Alberta), was a four-term aldermen on the Edmonton City Council from 1963 until her death in 1969. Kiniski had previously been an unsuccessful candidate in 14 of the city's annual elections, between 1945 and 1962, running as an independent or as a candidate for far-left parties.

Kiniski's family emigrated to Chipman, Alberta in 1912.[1] At the age of sixteen she married her husband, Nicholas, with whom she raised six children, including wrestler Gene Kiniski.[1] In 1936, Kiniski and her husband moved to Edmonton.[2] He worked as a barber, making $5 ($100 today) a week, while she sold cosmetics and managed a café.[2] Having dropped out of school after Grade 7,[1] in later life Kiniski "[e]nrolled in University of Alberta Extension courses, studying psychology, philosophy and world affairs".[2]

During her numerous unsuccessful campaigns for local office, Kiniski "became an accomplished, albeit unconventional, speaker".[1] As a politician, she was "[k]nown and loved as supporter of the common people",[2] whose success spurred renewed civic involvement:

Her 1963 victory was said to have reinvigorated public interest in City Council. While Kiniski's outspoken criticism of city spending did not make her popular with civic administrators, her defence of the "little people" captured the public's imagination. A local radio personality, Jerry Forbes, recorded a song about her set to the tune of "Hello Dolly".[1]

As a member of the city council, "[o]ne of her pet projects... was her fight to support tenants in basement suites".[2][3]

She died of a heart attack at the age of 70,[1] and was succeeded in office by her son, Julian Kinisky, who won his mother's vacated seat in a 1970 by-election.

An elementary school in Edmonton is named for her, as is the neighbourhood of Kiniski Gardens.[1]

Table of election results

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Elections won are in bold. From 1899 to 1963, Edmonton held annual municipal elections, replacing half of the alderman each year. Kiniski stood for election in 14 of 18 elections from 1945 to 1962, winning in her 15th attempt in 1963. Beginning in 1964, all seats were up for election every two years.

Year Party Votes Result
1945 Independent 1,305 last place
1946 Independent 2,635 last place
1947 Independent 2,133 second to last
1948 Independent 1,783 third to last
1949 Independent 6,370 last place
1951 Independent 5,045 last place
1953 Independent 3,471 last place
1954 Independent 1,758 third to last
1956 Independent 3,999 last place
1957 Independent 7,444 10th out of 19
1958 Edmonton Voters Association 4,283 9th out of 14
1959 Edmonton Voters Association 9,703 11th out of 17
1961 Independent 12,451 8th out of 18
1962 Civic Rights Protective
Association
12,643 8th out of 13
1963 United Voters Association 36,861 5th out of 14
1964 Civil Rights Association 54,637 2d out of a large field
1966 Civil Rights Association 53,969 3d out of a large field
1968 no affiliation 35,760 9th out of a large field

References

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  1. ^ a b c d e f g Merrily K. Aubrey, "Kiniski Gardens", Naming Edmonton: From Ada to Zoie (2004), p. 182.
  2. ^ a b c d e Edmonton Public Library, Election biographies Archived 2011-07-05 at the Wayback Machine.
  3. ^ Edmonton Journal, October 14, 1969, p. 1,3,10