John Alexander McDonald

John Alexander McDonald (born 1927 in London, Ontario) was Mayor of Hamilton, Ontario, Canada from 1976 until 1980.

In 1949, at the age of 22, McDonald was elected as the youngest alderman in the city's history. Four years later, he became Deputy Mayor, as a result of receiving the highest number of votes in the election for the city's Board of Control.

His first run for the position of mayor in 1956 was unsucessful (losing to Lloyd Jackson) and he returned two years later again to the Board of Control. He again tried to become the city's mayor, but lost to Victor Copps.

He bid for the city's top job wsa finally successful in 1976. He was re-elected in 1978, but was defeated by Bob Morrow in 1980.

In 1984, he ran for the position of Member of Parliament for Hamilton East. In a close, three-way race (with three additional minor candidates), McDonald placed third with 30.5%. (He finished behind the victor, Liberal Sheila Copps and second-place finished New Democat Dave Christopherson.

In his retirement, he served in many roles, including that of a columnist for the Hamilton Spectator.