A by-election for the riding of Olds-Didsbury-Three Hills has been called, and already there are three candidates lined up to vie for the seat.
The Mail reported in its May 14 edition that MLA for the riding and Speaker of the House, Nathan Cooper, resigned his seat to take on a role for the Alberta Government in Washington.
On Monday, May 26, the Chief Electoral Officer Gordon McClure issued writs for by-elections in the ridings of Edmonton Ellerslie, Edmonton Strathcona and Olds-Disbury Three Hills.
Candidate nominations opened, and so far three candidates have stepped to the forefront-Tara Sawyer is running as the United Conservative Party candidate, Bev Toews is running for the New Democratic Party, and Cameron Davies of the Alberta Republican Party is on the ballot.
Sawyer is from the Acme area, and she and her husband raise wheat, barley, Canola and hay. In 2014, the family received the Calgary Stampede BMO Farm Family Award.
She is an avid community-minded volunteer who has been involved in coaching, 4-H and the Acme Royal Purple. She has served as chair of Alberta Grains and Alberta Barley, and has represented Canada on trade missions in Asia, Africa and the Gulf. Most recently, she served as the first woman chair of the Grains Growers of Canada.
Bev Toews is the Alberta NDP candidate for the Olds-Disbury Three Hills riding. She is a long-time educator and Community Volunteer.
“Olds-Didsbury-Three Hills deserves a representative who understands the challenges rural families are facing and is ready to fight for real solutions,” said Toews. “From chaos in health care to the rising cost of living, I want to stand up for people in this part of the province and make their voices heard in the Legislature.”
She has more than 25 years of experience in education, she chairs the Fair Trade Olds Committee. Her service has been recognized with the Stars of Alberta Volunteer Award and the Queen Elizabeth II Platinum Jubilee Medal.
The addition of Cameron Davies and the Alberta Republicans brings a new dimension to the race. In early May, the Republican Party of Alberta and the Independence Party of Alberta signed an MOU to unify the independence movement.
Cameron Davies was a member of the UCP up until April of this year, but is now the party leader and candidate for the Alberta Republicans. He grew up in Sprue Grove, worked in the Oil paths, and is also a veteran.
"I'm honoured to carry the Republican banner into this by-election," said Davies. "The people of Olds-Didsbury-Three Hills deserve a strong voice who will stand up for our values and push back against the status quo. I'm ready to get to work.''
Nominations close on June 5, and Advance voting begins on June 17. Election Day is June 23.
