Editing Rob Anders (section)

==Nomination challenges==
Before the nomination race he ultimately lost, Anders defeated several high-profile challengers for the local [[Conservative Party of Canada|Conservative]] nomination.

In 1997, despite his relative youthfulness, Anders was already a veteran political organizer, and was able to win a hotly contested nomination in one of the safest Reform ridings in Canada.

In 2000 he defeated MLA [[Jocelyn Burgener]] for the [[Canadian Alliance]] nomination.<ref name="ctvnews.ca">[http://www.ctvnews.ca/politics/calgary-mp-rob-anders-to-face-nomination-challenge-1.1626482]. ''CTV News'', January 4, 2014. Retrieved March 9, 2014.</ref> Before the 2004 federal election Anders was challenged by future Alberta Premier [[Allison Redford]].<ref name="ctvnews.ca"/> Redford's campaign was run by [[Ron Liepert]], who would later challenge Anders for the new [[Calgary Signal Hill]] constituency.

In 2007 Anders was re-nominated by the Conservative party without a challenger. This led to a court challenge, which initially rescinded the decision and called for a new nomination.<ref>[http://www.ctvnews.ca/judge-overturns-nomination-of-calgary-mp-anders-1.233532]. ''CTV News'', March 16, 2007. Retrieved March 13, 2014.</ref> This decision was overturned on appeal, and Anders was the candidate in the 2008 Canadian Federal Election.

In 2010 Anders was challenged again, but successfully defeated [[Donna Kennedy-Glans]], who was elected an MLA in 2012.<ref>[http://www.ffwdweekly.com/article/news-views/streeter/the-struggle-to-unseat-rob-anders-3514/]. ''FastForward Weekly'', March 26, 2009. Retrieved March 3, 2014.</ref>

Ahead of the [[2015 Canadian federal election|42nd general election]], Anders ran for the Conservative nomination in [[Calgary Signal Hill]], essentially a reconfigured version of Calgary West. However, he was defeated by former provincial cabinet minister [[Ron Liepert]]. Anders had characterized the nomination contest as a fight for the party's soul. He was rebuked by the party for making misleading phone calls that left the impression they were coming from Liepert's campaign.<ref name="CBC News Calgary"/>

After losing the nomination race for Calgary Signal Hill, Anders decided to contest for the nomination in the new electoral district of [[Bow River (electoral district)|Bow River]], a mostly rural riding east of Calgary. Anders moved into the district in order to present himself as a resident of the district but he faced a challenge from the mayor of the City of Brooks, [[Martin Shields]]; former Rocky View County reeve Rolly Ashdown; and an economics professor from Calgary's Mount Royal University, [http://www.gerardlucyshyn.ca Gerard Lucyshyn]. All have been long-time residents of the district.<ref>{{cite web|title= Rob Anders takes second stab at federal Conservative nomination |url=https://www.theglobeandmail.com/news/politics/rob-anders-takes-second-stab-at-federal-conservative-nomination/article20713279/|author=Bill Graveland (Canadian Press)|publisher=The Globe and Mail|date=September 20, 2014|accessdate=September 20, 2014}}</ref>

On September 20, 2014, Anders lost the nomination for Bow River to Shields. His entry in the race for Bow River caused resentment amongst the other candidates who felt that Anders had parachuted into the riding after losing the nomination race in Calgary Signal Hill.<ref name="The Canadian Press"/>