Background
He was born in Macleod, Alberta.
He was born in Macleod, Alberta.
Mitchell first ran for a seat to the Canadian House of Commons as a Social Cr candidate in the 1935 Canadian federal election in the Medicine Hat electoral district. Mitchell and Gershaw would run against each other again in the 1940 Canadian federal election this time with the result being reversed and Gershaw defeating Mitchell. Mitchell served as a Major with the Royal Canadian Army Service Corps in the 1940s.
He ran in that election under the New Democracy banner, and did not return to federal politics after his defeat.
He served as a Member of the Canadian House of Commons from 1935 to 1940 sitting with the Social Cr caucus.