Alberta Leadership Up-date

Smoky Lake Signal Article No. 178
(June 22, 2011)

Leadership of Alberta's Progressive Conservative Party appears to be moving at a snail's pace, or is it just starting to heat up?  There are still only six declared candidates with two others still considering their entry into the race.  The two front runners from southern Alberta (Ted Morton and Rick Orman) consider themselves Blue Tories and each feels that their leadership is the only leadership that can defeat the onslaught of the threatening Wildrose Alliance Party.  To garner support from the federal Conservative Party both Ted Morton and Rick Orman flew to the Conservative convention in Ottawa for some sort of political support and to some observers a questionable trip?  The more "progressive" group of candidates (Gary Mar, Doug Horner, Doug Griffiths and Alison Redford), sometimes referred to as the Red Tory candidates, they're moving throughout the province, attending coffee / donut parties and selling memberships - Gary Mar and Doug Griffiths have already visited the Smoky Lake area with Doug Horner and Alison Redford expected to be in Smoky Lake in early July.  Haven't heard about the so-called front runners and when they might come to our communities.  According to PC authorities candidates will have to declare their candidacy by July 15th, the first formal debates will begin on July 28th and actual voting will begin on September 17th.  Should a candidate not receive a clear majority vote, a run off vote will occur on October 1st, the date Mr. Stelmach's resignation takes effect.