When I first heard the name “Bonar” uttered in reference to Edmonton’s 2010 Municipal Election, the nine-year-old and me giggled. But after a few weeks of campaigning, it became clear that Daryl Bonar — the third-place, come-from-behind, who-the-fuck-is-this-guy? mayoral candidate who won over many voters — was a force to be reckoned with.

In a great article on the Edmonton Journal.com, writer Richard Warnica tells Bonar’s story, as Bonar himself works to decide where his political life will go next:

With no name recognition and almost no money, Bonar looked typecast as the classic no-hope candidate when he entered the mayoral campaign. But along the way, things changed. Bonar’s name kept cropping up. He arrived at city hall on nomination day ahead of a sign-waving crowd. He pitched his platform at dance clubs, spent a night on the streets and touted himself online.

The article goes on to explain that Bonar isn’t sure what the next stage for him will be. He doesn’t sound thrilled at the prospect of entering provincial or federal politics — and who can blame the guy for not wanting to become part of that endless clusterfuck. But I’m troubled that he might be considering NOT running in 2013.

I have to admit, I grossly underestimated Bonar. I was impressed at what a great speaker he was, and what a solid grasp of the issues he appeared to have. After I watched Daryl Bonar at the second Mayoral Forum at Eastglen School, all I could say to the pals who were with me was, “I really wish Bonar was running as a councillor.”

I don’t believe Bonar can reasonably expect to run for mayor again in 2013 and win — mostly because 2013 is going to be insane, with what I assume will be a wide open field of candidates. I think he needs some solid experience as a city councillor. And I hope that Bonar — after his tour in Afghanistan — comes back to represent one of Edmonton’s wards.

Regardless of what he does decide to do, my hat goes of to him. He ran a hell of a campaign, and he had some outstanding grassroots support.

Stand tall, Bonar. You’ve achieved a lot.