The Ideas That Led Calgary to Choose a 'Wonkish, Dorky' Mayor

Calgary Mayor Naheed Nenshi’s 2010 rookie foray into politics branded him as a unique non-partisan voice in Canada. His so-called “Purple Revolution”—a campaign strategy named for its official color but also the broad demographic to which he hoped to appeal—caught the attention of not only Calgary but all of Canada. Once elected, Nenshi became what, in the words of The Globe and Mail, “many observers thought impossible—a wonkish, even dorky, academic and visible minority elected to the helm of what is often called Canada's most conservative city."

In 2013, Maclean’s ranked Nenshi, the first Muslim mayor of a major North American city, as the second-most important person in Canada (Prime Minister Stephen Harper was number one). He’s also among 26 global mayors shortlisted for the 2014 World Mayor Prize. (The winner will be announced in January.)