Local businessman Steve Khan has become the second person to announce plans to run for the St. Albert Progressive Conservative nomination.
Khan, a lifelong Albertan and nearly lifelong resident of St. Albert, told the Gazette this week he plans to seek the party’s nomination in the St. Albert riding currently held by Ken Allred.
Khan said the party’s leadership race this year got him very interested in politics and he found the candidates inspiring.
“Almost everyone in that leadership race said something that spoke personally to me.”
Khan, who along with his father ran a software firm in St. Albert, said after they sold the company he has had more time and he wants to use it to give back to the community.
“I have got a little more time on my hands than I used to and I wanted to get engaged, I wanted to be engaged in the community.”
The Paul Kane High School graduate said he feels St. Albert has given him a lot of the success he has experienced to date and he is ready for it to help him in the future.
“I have the opportunity to give back to the community that I feel indebted to, this city has been good to me.”
Allred has not yet made it clear whether he plans to seek his party’s nomination again or whether he will now retire.
“Ken Allred has served St. Albert for a very long time in a number of capacities and I think St. Albert as a community is indebted to Ken Allred.”
Despite singing Allred’s praises, the 45-year-old Khan said he believes it is time for new faces in provincial politics.
“I think it is my time and it is time for people of my generation to get more active and more involved. It is time for us to carry the torch.”
Khan said he believes, especially now, the government has to focus on the “big three” issues that have the most impact on people’s lives.
“My issues are pretty much the same as everyone in the leadership race. I think the government’s focus at this time has to be on education, healthcare and the economy.”
Khan said he believes Alberta is well positioned for a very bright future and as that rolls out he wants to make sure this community is well represented.
“I want St. Albert at the table, I want St. Albert to have a voice at the table.”
Allred said he remains 50-50 on whether or not he will make another bid for his party’s nomination. He said whether he runs or not he is excited to have confident candidates in the race.
“It is good to see some more young, competent people involved, that is democracy.”
Khan joins former Canadian forces helicopter pilot Jeff Wedman in the race. The Wildrose party has nominated former city councillor James Burrows, the Alberta Party will be running Tim Osborne and the NDP has selected Nicole Bownes to represent the riding.
