A familiar face will be representing the Drumheller-Stettler riding for the Progressive Conservatives come next provincial election.
Jack Hayden, who represented the riding as MLA from 2007 until 2012 won the nomination from his party to represent them when the writ is dropped.
He beat out Drumheller businessman Ed Mah and Stettler County Councillor Greggory Jackson.
The vote was in Hanna on Saturday afternoon, the only polling station, and followed a week of candidate forums throughout the riding.
“I was amazed by the support that came out, especially with conditions,” he told The Mail.
The nomination race caught the imagination of area voters, as supporters of all candidates rallied to car pool to Hanna, even as winter storm conditions approached.
“I was floored by how many people made it here,” said Hayden. “The interest is back. There were a lot of memberships sold during the campaign, and even 100 new memberships sold at the door. I think there is a lot of momentum out there.”
Hayden’s tenure as MLA began when he won a byelection after the Honourable Shirley McClellan retired. He served as Minister of Infrastructure. He was defeated in 2012 by current MLA Rick Strankman.
He sees a new attitude in the riding.
“I think people want to be engaged in the political process, the message to me is they feel who they send to Edmonton is important,” said Hayden. "The results you get back and the working relationship is extremely important.”
“We’ve had three years where we didn’t have a government member and you cannot deny there is a difference, and people recognize it,” said Hayden.
With the nomination process over, his focus is on the upcoming provincial elections, expected in the near future.
“I am taking nothing for granted,” said Hayden. “If the 2012 election taught me anything, it taught me that.”
He wants to bring a message of hope to the elections.
“We have an amazing premier. I have never seen anyone with the nerve this gentleman has. He is tabling a budget that isn’t going to be an easy one for people and he is putting it on the table before he goes to an election, that is unprecedented. I have never seen anyone do that. He says this is going to be about honesty and transparency… plus he is coming with a 10 year plan.”
Many are expecting the writ to be dropped for a provincial election in the next few weeks. Along with Hayden, the Wildrose Party has put current MLA Strankman’s name forward for the election.
According to the Alberta Liberal and Alberta NDP parties’ websites, so far no candidates have been selected for in the Drumheller-Stettler riding.
