Yellowknife (May 31/04) - If there's any motto Dennis Bevington would like to believe about his electoral chances this year, then it's if at first you don't succeed, then try, try again.

NDP's Dennis Bevington

The federal NDP candidate is hoping his second crack at stealing away the Western Arctic seat from Liberal Ethel Blondin-Andrew will paint a prettier picture than the defeat he suffered at her hands four years ago.

"Just about every position I've run for I've lost the first time," said Bevington.

"I ran for mayor (of Fort Smith) the first time and lost, I ran for town council the first time and lost, but I persevered."

The long-time former mayor of Fort Smith has quietly built himself an impressive set of credentials he hopes will demonstrate to the electorate that he has the right stuff to become an asset in the House of Commons.

Most recently he served as an advisor to the territorial government's energy secretariat, which took him to many far-flung regions across the territory. During his last two years as mayor he was president of the NWT Association of Municipalities from 1995-1997. He also sits on the national "green fund" committee with the Canadian Federation of Municipalities.

"I've worked with Jack Layton (federal NDP leader) on many things together with the federation over the years."

The 51-year-old believes the NDP's selection of Layton as national leader has given the party a timely shot in the arm. As for Blondin-Andrew, he said after four terms in Ottawa NWT voters want a change.

"The advantage of having a member of parliament that is aligned so closely to the Liberal party is fading quickly," said Bevington, who is married to his wife, Joan. They have two grown children, Nick and Anna, and three grandchildren. Green Party candidate Chris O'Brien was out of town last week and couldn't be reached by deadline.