16 Facts About Andy Brandt

Andrew S Brandt was a Canadian politician and public administrator who served in a number of roles in the province of Ontario.

Andy Brandt served in the Legislative Assembly of Ontario as a Progressive Conservative from 1981 to 1990, and was a cabinet minister in the governments of Bill Davis and Frank Miller.

Andy Brandt later served as interim leader of the Progressive Conservative Party from 1987 to 1990 before being appointed chairman and CEO of the Liquor Control Board of Ontario.

Andrew S Brandt was born June 11,1938, in London, Ontario.

Andy Brandt served as an alderman in Sarnia from 1971 to 1974, and as mayor of the city from 1975 to 1980.

Andy Brandt ran for the Ontario legislature in the 1977 provincial election, but lost to Liberal Paul Blundy, who had immediately preceded Andy Brandt as Mayor of Sarnia, by 257 votes in the provincial electoral district of Sarnia.

Andy Brandt ran again in the 1981 election and defeated Blundy by 3,029 votes, as the Progressive Conservatives won a majority government under Bill Davis.

Andy Brandt was originally neutral in the Progressive Conservative Party's 1985 leadership convention, but surprised delegates by endorsing Frank Miller from the convention podium.

In opposition, Andy Brandt served as his party's critic for Environment and Industry.

Party leader Larry Grossman was defeated in his own riding so Andy Brandt was selected as interim leader on November 3,1987, and held the position until Mike Harris was chosen as full-time leader on May 12,1990.

Andy Brandt was reappointed to the position four times by Rae, Harris and Ernie Eves, retaining the position for fifteen years, and remains the longest serving chair and CEO in LCBO history.

Andy Brandt was noted for modernizing the LCBO's operations as well as convincing the provincial government not to privatize the service.

Andy Brandt was accused of accepting inappropriate luxury trips in 1999, but was defended in the legislature and was after reappointed to a fourth term as chair and CEO.

In 2000, Andy Brandt supported Stockwell Day for the leadership of the Canadian Alliance on the second ballot of the newly formed party's leadership contest.

Andy Brandt retired as LCBO chairman on February 5,2006, after fifteen years at the helm.

Andy Brandt died on December 22,2023, at the age of 85.