There were no last-minute walk-ons when the PC nomination deadline passed Saturday morning for candidates to replace Olds-Didsbury-Three Hills MLA Richard Marz in the next provincial election.
The race to be decided Nov. 26 in Didsbury will be between previously declared candidates Darcy Davis, Al Kemmere and William Stevenson.
Apart from the three, “there were a couple guys that showed some pretty good interest, but they decided maybe it wasn't their time.” nomination chairman Pat James said Sunday.
Contacted the same day, all three candidates confirmed they had not supported Alison Redford during last month's PC leadership contest, but said they would have no difficulty working under Redford as premier.
“It's a question people ask right off the bat – how does the new premier align with what I want to see happen in the province,” said Kemmere, former county reeve and current Olds-area councillor.
“I think where she wants to go is the same place I want to go and I'm going to support her and try to get my views in on caucus when it gets to that stage,” he said.
“I'm supporting the direction she's heading in right now.”
Redford's decision to restore $107 million in education funding “was a question mark in some people's minds,” he said, “but she's following through on a promise and I can't fault her for that.”
Kemmere had said before the new leader was chosen that he was torn between two of the candidates. He admitted Sunday that Redford wasn't one of them.
“I'll be honest – no, she wasn't one of the two. But I believe in the democratic process. The people have chosen a new leader and I believe in the choice that has been made.”
Davis, an Acme-area farmer and former chair of the Alberta Beef Producers, supported Doug Horner for the Tory leadership, but said Sunday: “I felt comfortable with the three contenders who made it into the second round and felt I could work with any of them.”
With his appointment as deputy premier and president of the Treasury Board and Enterprise, Horner fills an important role in cabinet and Davis said he is excited about the party under Redford's leadership.
“I think she brings a whole new aspect to the job that's needed to renew the party,” he said. “She seems decisive. She shows she can make a decision, communicate and explain the reasons why for the decision, then move on – which shows good leadership.
“The fact that I'm in the race means I feel I can work with her.”
Stevenson, a Carstairs accountant who has been active in both the federal and provincial wings of the party, supported Ted Morton for the leadership.
“My history with Morton goes back a long time,” Stevenson said. “I used to live seven miles south of (Carstairs) and was a founding member of the Foothills-Rocky View PC Association. That was the first part of my supporting him. Also I thought he was for change and fiscal responsibility.
“When it came to the second ballot I supported Alison because I thought she was an agent of change. I think going forward I would have a pretty good relationship (with Redford). I think I fit to where Alison is looking at getting some younger, new MLAs. I think I'll work very well with Alison.”
Heading into the final stretch of the campaign, all three candidates acknowledged the last two weeks are going to be crucial.
Kemmere said he will be meeting with groups in the eastern part of the riding – Linden, Acme, Beiseker and Three Hills – in a continued effort to expand his base of support.
“There's no doubt in those areas that Darcy is strong, but you're only as strong as the people who come out and vote,” Kemmere said.
“People appreciate the job Richard (Marz) has done but I'm also hearing that it's nice to see some new blood coming in. Change is a common word in recent elections.”
Conversely, Davis will be trying to make inroads in the western part of the riding. He's scheduled an open house for today (Tuesday) at the Cow Palace in Olds from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. and at Mugs Coffee House in Didsbury on Nov. 22 from 9 a.m. to 11 p.m.
“Everybody in Mountain View knows who Al is from being reeve, but people are looking closely at the different platforms and we all bring different things to the table,” Davis said.
“Having been in industry associations and agriculture associations has been a positive for producers in those commodities but there's also recognition that I bring a broader viewpoint of having worked with government in Edmonton, Ottawa and abroad. That kind of experience reflects well on representing the constituency.”
Stevenson said he will spend the home stretch putting in as much “face time” as possible and making sure he gets his vote out.
“I have a few things to appeal,” he said. “One is the youth. At 40, I'm significantly younger than the other two (Davis is 50 and Kemmere is 54). Also I'm going to look at the business side of things – being an accountant, a young professional, kind of young blood. And because of my connections with the federal side, I've been working with our MPs so long that I'm getting some support from the federal side.
“Because we're all in the same party, we've got to make sure we're not out for blood, so to speak. We still have to work together after the 26th and (try to ensure that members) consider you for second choice.”
Ballots will include a first and second choice of candidates. If there is no winner after the first count, the second choice on ballots for the third-place candidate will be added to the two top candidates' counts to determine the winner.
Advance polls in Beiseker (Nov. 19, 10 a.m. to 1 p.m.), Three Hills (Nov. 19, 3 p.m. to 9 p.m.) and Cremona (Nov. 26, 10 a.m. to 1 p.m.) were set up for convenience and Stevenson said he believes they will draw large turnouts.
The final poll will be held at the Didsbury Multiplex on Nov. 26 from 3 p.m. to 9 p.m.
The party will hold a forum for the candidates on Saturday, Nov. 19 at the Three Hills Super 8, starting at 6:30 p.m. Each candidate will make a presentation lasting about 10 minutes, followed by a question-and-answer period and concluding remarks from the candidates, James said. The same format will be followed on Nov. 26 in Didsbury, again starting at 6:30.
