INNISFAIL – The Innisfail-Sylvan Lake UCP Constituency Association has set its nomination date for May 2.
The vote to select a United Conservative Party candidate will take place at the Penhold Regional Multiplex from 11 a.m. to 8 p.m.
There will also be two advance polls on April 28, the first in Delburne from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. and the second in Sylvan Lake from 3:15 to 7:15 p.m.
Lee Eddy, president of the association, said he received about 15 inquiries with a total of seven people putting forth their names to seek the nomination.
A byelection in the riding is expected to be held later this year.
“We’ve been ready for two months,” said Eddy. “It’s really the first true byelection and nomination race after the (Conservative and Wildrose) merge,” he added. “Everybody is anxious to see what the interest would be and (it’s) been really good.
“We’re actually being watched by the whole province.”
There is now close to 3,000 members in the Innisfail-Sylvan Lake UCP constituency association, said Eddy, pointing out how candidates have been busy meeting with members over the past several weeks.
“Each one of these candidates seem to be (holding) coffee shop talks and meetings with UCP members,” he said. “I’ve heard responses have been very good.”
An all-candidates forum is being held on April 20 at the Skywings Hanger in Springbrook at 7 p.m. Candidates will discuss and debate questions that are submitted from UCP members via email prior to Friday’s event.
“We’re asking members to send in questions prior to Friday to [email protected],” said Pam Davidson, chair of the Innisfail-Sylvan Lake UCP nomination committee. “We haven’t (confirmed) how we are going to run the forum, but talk (so far) has been that we will only ask questions submitted from email.”
Eddy said they have a good group of candidates seeking the UCP nomination. All candidates bring different experience, diverse backgrounds and areas of knowledge and expertise to the table.
He noted areas that may be discussed at the all-candidates forum could include issues facing the riding and what the candidate’s first task would be in the legislature, if they win the byelection.
No matter the outcome, UCP members are expected to rally behind their chosen candidate.
“I don’t think we’ll see a massive amount of people being too disappointed in whoever wins,” said Eddy.
Results are expected to be announced after the polls close on May 2.
