When St. Albert voters head to the polls Oct. 19, Darlene Malayko’s name will be on the ballot.
The local transit union organizer secured the nomination for the federal New Democratic Party at a meeting of roughly 75 party faithful and observers last Saturday afternoon at Servus Place.
She said she was excited to have party members’ support, but noted it was still the first day and all the real work lies ahead of her.
“It’s a long campaign and it’s going to be a lot of hard work, and I’m glad we have this support because it shows people care and they’re ready for change,” she said.
Malayko said she thought the party’s chances are very good in this riding, especially considering it will be one of the few ridings that has two serious conservative contenders.
Incumbent MP Brent Rathgeber, who was elected in 2011 as a Conservative, will be running as an independent following his June 2013 decision to leave that party and sit as an independent. Michael Cooper is carrying the Conservative banner this election.
Malayko said the two conservative candidates potentially splitting the vote could work to the party’s advantage, but said regardless she believes voters are ready to try something new.
“What we saw in the provincial election was people wanted change,” she said. “They were ready for change, and they got out and voted for change. I think that’s going to happen again.”
In the meantime, she said she’s ready to get out into the constituency and start knocking on some doors.
“I’m looking forward to meeting the constituents and getting to know what the issues are and taking them forward,” she said.
Malayko’s only opponent in the nomination race, Aretha Greatrix, said while she was disappointed with the result she’s already volunteered to help with Malayko’s campaign and she foresees a positive result for her party.
“I don’t want to count my chickens before they hatch and declare a win, but I’m very confident about it,” she said. “And I think we’re going to work very hard.”
St. Albert Coun. Cam MacKay, who nominated Malayko, said he chose to nominate her because of her work ethic and the way she connects on a personal level with the union members she represents and cares about them.
“For me the most important thing I always find is, is this person going to represent me when they get elected?” he said. “I can unequivocally say Darlene will represent you to the best of her ability.”
Likewise, Malayko received an endorsement from Steve Bradshaw, the president of the Amalgamated Transit Union to which Malayko belongs.
“She can win that election, and go to Ottawa and serve us well,” he said. “She’s a person of honour and loyalty, and she’s smart.”
Andrew Traynor, the constituency association president, told the assembled crowd that the political tides are clearly shifting, as evidenced by the large turnout for the meeting, which was standing room only.
“There was a time, though, when seeing this many New Democrats in one place in St. Albert was a rare occasion,” he said. “Now, I daresay, this is the norm.”
