There are two in the running to represent the United Conservative Party (UCP) in Drumheller-Stettler come the next provincial election.
On Thursday, April 26, current Drumheller-Stettler MLA Rick Strankman announced he would be seeking the nomination from the UCP Party. His announcement comes on the heels of Pollockville farmer Nate Horner registering with Elections Alberta to seek the nomination, making it a race.
Strankman has represented the riding for six years, and this will be his third provincial election if nominated, and his first as representing the UCP, having previously run as a Wild Rose MLA.
“I am confident that my experience as an MLA, and before that, as a conservative-minded advocate, will contribute to a new government led by Jason Kenney. I am genuinely excited about Alberta’s future as we look toward a United Conservative government and making our province a destination for investment,” he said. “In addition to that, a new Kenney government will be able to focus on getting our province back on a balanced financial footing because runaway government debt is not the friend of any government, or of any taxpayer.”
He says his work inside and outside the legislature is well documented in the cause of advancing and defending fiscal conservatism.
“I can only add that I am as passionate about these things today as I have ever been,” he said.
Horner’s namesake has been attached to provincial and federal politics for years. His great-grandfather Ralph Horner was a senator and his grandfather Jack Horner represented Acadia in Parliament from 1958 to 1968 and then Crowfoot until 1979.
“I became involved with the PCs when Jason Kenney came on and became a delegate. I got to know him a bit and some of the other players in the Party. I really believe he is the right person for the job,” said Horner. “But I think with this new party, we need some new fresh faces, not only to help sell it to our urban friends, but some fresh faces to continue to unite the fiscally responsible people within this riding under a new brand."
Horner has a diploma in Agricultural Business finance from Olds College and a University of Lethbridge Agriculture Degree. With his education complete, he bought into the family farm where he raised a family.
“I am very active in my community and have served on many local boards and associations,” he said. “I believe community service is a big part of this job,” said Horner.
He recognizes it is tough to go up against an incumbent, but he feels there is support
“In the riding, I definitely feel there is an appetite for change,” he said.
The UCP Founding AGM is May 4-6 in Red Deer. The Drumheller-Stettler UCP Constituency Association has a meeting coming up on May 17 in Hanna.
Constituency President Dave Mohl said they have not yet worked out their nomination process.
“We thought we would hold off, get through the two AGMs and then lay that out and get going. We want to see what the party rules are, coming out of it,” said Mohl.
He adds it is going to be an open nomination.
