EDMONTON — A rookie Alberta MLA who once suggested the province should hold a global beauty pageant to attract tourists won’t be running in the next election.
Carl Benito lost the Tory nomination to businessman Sohail Quaudri in Edmonton-Mill Woods on Tuesday night.
Benito was elected in 2008 and came under fire when he reneged on a campaign promise to donate his salary to a scholarship.
He also took heat for not paying property taxes he owed — he said his wife forgot.
In March 2010 he floated the idea of the province holding an international beauty contest complete with tiaras, high heels and sparkly gowns as a tourist draw.
The suggestion outraged women’s rights advocates who said a woman’s worth shouldn’t be based on looks.