Drumheller's Ed Mah has been working hard to be ready as a candidate vying for the Progressive Conservative nomination for Drumheller-Stettler. Mah said the PCs will be holding a Super Saturday, where 35 constituencies will pick their candidate to run in the next provincial election.
The message coming from Edmonton over the last week appears to be giddy-up and go.
The speculation of a spring provincial election has been spurred on by word the Alberta Progressive Conservative Party is aiming to have its nominations in the riding completed by March 15, rather than originally proposed in June.
Because of this, the process in all parties is underway to choose candidates in each riding going forward.
So far, there are three who have stepped up to contest for the nomination for the Progressive Conservative Party in the Drumheller-Stettler Riding.
Ed Mah from Drumheller has been working hard to get prepared to run for the nomination. While there has not been an announcement from the Constituency Association as to date and procedure, he expects it will be soon.
“The party has said there are 35 constituencies ready to go ahead and hold their nominations. Basically we‘ll have a Super Saturday where 35 constituencies will pick their candidate,” said Mah.
He doesn’t expect Drumheller-Stettler to be one of these ridings, but he forsees that it won’ be long. He feels is bolstered by support from former Wildrose supporters who are taking a chance on him.
“I am confident we are of like mind in the sense they are willing to give me a chance, because they feel I am capable and I am not going to be brow-beat by the premier,” said Mah.
Jack Hayden who served as MLA for the Drumheller Constituency from 2007-2012 is also ready to go.
One big change is the political dynamic in the riding. Rick Strankman was one of five Wildrose MLAs that did not join the PC party. The new union is still getting mixed reviews from both sides.
“I am still encouraged in some ways because I have always been a true conservative, but I have also prided myself on being progressive. I feel what we see is a drift more to the progressive side where there is going to be more room for people to be concerned about the vulnerable and the social issues will be addressed,” he said.
He says that much has changed since the last election, and there is a new political reality.
“I think the nomination is going to be significant and I think the election battle will be significant. There was such a turn around since the last election, going from winning all 70 polls to losing the election, so we have a lot of ground to make up,” he said.
Greggory Jackson. Councillor for Stettler County has also expressed interest in running for the PC nomination. He could not be reached as of press time.
Incumbent for Drumheller-Stettler Rick Strankman, completed his nomination in 2014. A number of calls to Mr. Strankman have been left unanswered.
