With about 90 days to go before the next federal election, St. Albertans are currently looking at a two-horse race, as neither the Liberals nor the NDP have nominated a candidate in the new riding of St Albert-Edmonton.
With about 90 days to go before the next federal election, St. Albertans are currently looking at a two-horse race, as neither the Liberals nor the NDP have nominated a candidate in the new riding of St Albert-Edmonton.
Canadians head to the polls on Oct. 19 and so far the local race has independent, small ‘c' conservative and incumbent Brent Rathgeber, pitted against lawyer and decade-long member of the Conservative party, Michael Cooper.
But the likelihood of a right-heavy election is slim according to both candidates.
Rathgeber said he has no doubt the two other parties will nominate candidates, but expressed his surprise that it has not happened sooner, especially “given how competitive this election is going to be.”
National polls show that each of the three main parties are within six to eight points of each other from top to bottom.
Even ridings like St. Albert-Edmonton, which has voted conservative in some shape or form since 1958, could be persuaded to go Liberal red or NDP orange, particularly given what happened in the May 5 provincial election, Rathgeber said.
“And, of course, locally we have a very unique circumstance, where we have a sitting incumbent sitting as an independent and that could lead to all sorts of mathematical machinations – opportunities for vote splitting,” he said.
There is also speculation that the writ may be dropped early in an effort by the government to control third-party spending.
Rathgeber believes that the election could be called as early as the end of July.
“With the writ two months – or even maybe one month – away with all these rumours, I am surprised that not only do the NDs and the Liberals not have candidates in place, as far as I know they don't have nomination dates. They seem to be a little behind the eight ball,” he said.
The Conservatives named its candidate last fall and Cooper has been door-knocking ever since.
While he expressed confidence that both parties will run full slates of candidates, as they have done consistently over the years, Cooper disagreed that the vote might be split on the right.
“We've already identified thousands and thousands of supporters throughout the riding,” he said. “There's very strong support. People understand that it's important that we see a continuation of the strong, serious and proven leadership of Stephen Harper and they understand that the only way to do that is to elect a Conservative in St. Albert-Edmonton.”
According to St. Albert-Edmonton Liberal riding association president Barry Barclay the party's lack of candidate is not for a lack of trying.
“It's been a long process. I've been the president for a year now and trying to get a candidate for most of that time,” he said.
Barclay attributes the delay to disagreements among the different factions within the party and the disparity between the demographics of St. Albert and Castle Downs in north Edmonton, which poses a challenge in finding a suitable candidate.
The party does have one potential candidate. Randy Williams, also known in St. Albert art circles as Geologist, has submitted his papers, but Barclay would prefer to hold out for a stronger candidate, recognizing the importance of this race.
“I would have preferred to have a candidate a long time ago. We're running out of time that's quite clear and I wish somebody would step forward who's well known in the community. I have a couple people in mind,” he said.
Another member expressed interest and is in the process of submitting his papers said Barclay.
Brian Gold, former member of the Liberal Party of Canada in Alberta, had also put his name forward, but has since pulled out and been nominated to the Edmonton-Griesbach riding.
The NDP St. Albert-Edmonton riding association could not be reached for comment.
