The Edmonton-St. Albert Conservative Association is disappointed Brent Rathgeber has resigned from caucus and will now start preparing for the next federal election, its board president said Friday.
Darren Bieganek said Rathgeber never consulted the board of the association about his difficulties in Ottawa, only informing it late Wednesday evening of his decision to resign. The board happened to be meeting at that time.
“I think, generally speaking, disappointment reigns supreme,” Bieganek said. “There are those who understand it. There are those who are puzzled by it.”
In a statement issued Friday, the board also reaffirmed its support of the Conservative Party of Canada and Prime Minister Stephen Harper.
“Going forward we have the business of the (district) to take care of. We have no sitting member or candidate,” Bieganek said.
The board does not feel, however, that Rathgeber should resign his seat and stand in a by-election unless he feels it’s necessary, saying voters in the constituency don’t want another vote. A spokesperson for Harper had suggested earlier this week Rathgeber should do just that.
“Our position is if that Brent determines that is the will of his constituents, we are prepared to contest that but we don’t feel the people of the riding want another election federally.”
A redistricting will soon be completed that will slightly re-shape the constituency and rename it St. Albert Edmonton. When that takes place, the association will nominate a candidate to prepare for the October 2015 general election.
Several board members are close friends of Rathgeber’s, Bieganek said, and now will have a difficult decision to make.
“I’m sure a few of them will be doing some soul-searching this weekend about what they want to do but in the meantime the board carries on.”
